Trinidad and Tobago athletes on the Road to Tokyo 2020 have been granted special permission to continue preparations.

Antonia Burton, a strength and conditioning coach with the Sports Company (SporTT), told the Express that while general access to facilities has been halted as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, a limited group of Olympic-bound athletes are being allowed to train.

“Kudos to SporTT for their approach to the situation. Having Ismael Lopez Mastrapa, Keshorn Walcott’s coach as an employee of the company, they were kept abreast as to the needs of our Olympic athletes.”

Burton said that SporTT reached out to National Governing Bodies (NGBs), including the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAATT).

“SporTT enquired as to who are the athletes that already qualified and who are on the cusp of qualification. These athletes will be given access to the facilities to continue with their Tokyo preparations. I was present as a cleaning crew did a deep clean in the Hasely Crawford Stadium Elite gym, a process which took approximately two hours.”

SporTT’s Elite Development and Performance Unit (EDPU) is housed at the Crawford Stadium and is headed by Executive Manager Tobias Ottley.

Walcott, the 2012 Olympic men’s javelin champion, and shot putter Cleopatra Borel are among the athletes benefitting from SporTT’s exemption for Tokyo-bound athletes.

Burton said that while she is pleased Walcott and company will suffer minimal disruption in their preparations, she is in agreement with the restrictions that have been put in place for athletes who are not en route to the Games of the 32nd Olympiad in Tokyo, Japan.

“I most definitely agree. We are not the only country with such restrictions. Universities in the US have locked off access to their tracks, as have some high schools. NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) has ended their entire spring sport season. NBA has been suspended. And access to gyms has been prohibited. We cannot expect to be the exception to the rule.”

Burton does not believe the July 24-August 9 Olympic Games will be staged on schedule.

“It looks very unlikely. While Asia may be rounding the corner with this disease, other nations have not yet reached the peak. The Americas, Africa, Europe are still preparing for the worst of it. Even if Asia is confident in hosting, they run the risk of thousands of athletes and administrators travelling in from different countries.

“I think the International Olympic Committee (IOC) needs to make a decision sooner rather than later. The athletes I’ve been speaking to are beginning to reach their wits’ end. The uncertainty of it all, coupled with the fact they are putting themselves at risk everyday by heading out to train when John Public are at home, social distancing.”

The strength and conditioning specialist said that a July/August Olympic Games will impact on quality.

“Should IOC decide to go forward with the Games, performances are not going to be what we’ve come to expect from the Olympics. Major meets which are usually used as tune-ups for the Games are being cancelled. Every kind of preparation is being affected.”

Burton is also a track and field coach with Memphis Pioneers Athletic Club and was recently selected to serve as a national coach for the 2020 Carifta Games in Bermuda. She said that while COVID-19 will have a negative effect on her sport, there are other more damaging issues.

“COVID-19 will be and is detrimental for athletes aiming to make a living this year, but you have IAAF (World Athletics) making decisions regarding the Diamond League. You have athletes not earning any money every year because of no sponsorship or funding. We have developmental issues in local track. Those are the issues that will have long-term effects on the sport, globally and for TTO.”

Burton has been ensuring that the athletes under her charge continue to train in spite of the restrictions that have been imposed.

“As a past athlete and now coach, the best advice I can give is to stay healthy, physically and mentally. Train as best as you can and talk to someone. Get your frustrations out.

“Thankfully, I know of athletes from every sport who utilise the sports psychologists in Sports Company. These are trying times and as brave a face everyone is putting on, it’s scary. Consult with who you need to consult with and make the best decision for you,” Burton ended. “This too shall pass.”