Katerina Stefanidi faces new challenge for Olympics as all training stadiums in Greece remain shut

·

Olympic pole vault champion Katerina Stefanidi arrived in Greece on the first of March, facing the unprecedented challenge of having no access to any training stadiums, prior to her participation in the biggest competition of her career.

Stefanidi had planned a trip to Greece to visit family, put in a month-long training cycle and take part in the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday before planning to return to her base near Cleveland, Ohio. As you can probably guess, however, those plans did not go accordingly.

The Olympic journey commenced last week as the the torch was lit in Olympia to empty crowds. The torch relay, however, was cancelled as it passed through Sparta because of the “unexpectedly large crowd” that gathered to watch, despite repeated requests for the public to stay away to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Adding to her disappointment of not taking part in the Olympic relay, Greece announced last Wednesday all stadiums were closed, giving her no place to practice prior to the Olympics.

Making matters even worse, it is reported that her poles remain stuck in quarantine on the other side of the Atlantic.

Read More: Olympic torch relay in Greece suspended as it passes through Sparta

“We have trained on the beach and the street and we are lucky to have one bar at home to do some modified lifting,” she says speaking with World Athletics.

“But obviously we cannot pole vault at home or the beach or the street. More and more things are closing down every day here like in most countries of course, and it’s honestly becoming harder to worry about training or the Olympics with what is going on in the world around us.”

As much of an inconvenience as those modified and rudimentary training facilities are, they’re secondary to a larger issue that all athletes are grappling with at the moment, said Stefanidi’s husband and coach, Mitch Krier.

“I think the biggest issue is not even the disruption in current training with closed stadiums, but rather the uncertainty if meets will occur on the same dates, or postponed, if at all.”

“Meets serve as an important training measure and building block,” Krier said. With the coronavirus epidemic causing unpredictable changes to facility access and competition dates, it makes it difficult for competitors such as Stefanidi to program their training.

Katerina: The IOC is putting us at risk

Katerina Stefanidi discussed her disappointment at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday with Reuters, as the committee tell athletes to continue training.

“There is no postponement, no cancellation. But it (the IOC) is putting us at risk,” the Greek said in an exclusive interview.

“We all want Tokyo to happen but what is the Plan B if it does not happen? Knowing about a possible option has a major effect on my training because I may be taking risks now that I would not take if I knew there was also the possibility of a Plan B,” Stefanidi added.

“We have to decide whether to risk our health and continue training in the current environment.”

“The IOC advice ‘encourages athletes to continue to prepare for the Olympic Games as best they can’ with the Olympics only four months away, but the government legislation is enforcing isolation at home with tracks, gyms and public spaces closed,” she wrote on Twitter.

“I feel under pressure to train and keep the same routine which is impossible.”

The IOC will hold a call with its National Olympic Committees on Wednesday, and had earlier in the day repeated its commitment to stage the Games in the Japanese capital from 24 July to 9 August, urging athletes to continue with their training despite mounting speculation about the impact of the virus on the Games.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

St Sophia and Three Daughters Parish expand their ‘Feed The People’ program

The Greek Orthodox Parish of St Sophia and Three Daughters at Surry Hills, Sydney continue to expand their 'Feed the People' program.

Harry Mavrolefteros’ First Education wins Bayside Local Business Award

Harry Mavrolefteros' First Education Centre at Mascot wins 'Outstanding Educational Services Award' at the Bayside Local Business Awards.

Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney & NSW to honour 112 years since Lesvos’ liberation

This Saturday, November 16, a night of celebration and tradition is set to take stage at the Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney & NSW dance.

Rosemary Franzidis’ husband speaks out as third person charged in relation to fatal crash

A third individual has been charged as police continue their investigation into the tragic death of 69-year-old Rosemary Franzidis.

Greek Australian migration exhibition ‘Kalos Irthate’ coming to Melbourne this weekend

The Kalos Irthate (Greek for ‘welcome’) Migration Exhibition will launch next weekend, November 16 and 17 in Doncaster, Melbourne. 

You May Also Like

Olive tree planted at Lamia Barracks in Sydney to honour the Battle of Crete

An olive tree was planted at Lamia Barracks in Sydney on May 16 as a way to honour the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Crete this year.

‘It fills the void’: Attorney-General and Immigration Minister discuss Religious Discrimination Bill

Attorney-General, Michaelia Cash, and Immigration Minister, Alex Hawke MP, discuss the Religious Discrimination Bill.

South Australian Maria Tsentidou preserves her Pontian heritage with a needle and thread

South Australian Maria Tsentidou tells The Greek Herald how she preserves her Pontian heritage with a needle and thread.