Deon Lendore is performing a balancing act at his training base in Texas, USA.

The Covid-19 pandemic has placed heavy restrictions on Lendore as he strives to continue his training programme. The 2012 Olympic men’s 4×400 metres bronze medallist is grateful to still have some opportunities to train outside of his home, but is being careful about utilising them.

“I’m doing a lot of home exercises for strength,” Lendore told the Express.

“Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, lunges. And typically we try to utilise random parks and grass areas as much as we can access them. At this point it’s all about using whatever space you can gain access to. But it’s really tricky because you don’t want to be in an environment where there are many others, just for your safety.”

The novel coronavirus outbreak forced postponement of the Olympics. All things being equal, the Games will now be staged between July 23 and August 8, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Though the Tokyo Games will not be staged this year, as originally planned, and a large cloud of uncertainty hangs over the 2020 athletics season, Lendore is not willing to completely shut down his training programme.

“You don’t want to have a long period off. That’s not going to do well on your body when it’s time to get back at it.”

Right decision to postpone the Tokyo Games

Lendore said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decision to postpone the Tokyo Games was the right one. In the current circumstances, however, the 27-year-old quartermiler does not expect to reap any major benefit from an additional year of preparation.

“Seeing that we have more time, it would have helped more if we were training freely. But with the lockdowns, you can’t really say you’re able to work to your highest potential. So you can gain ground but it won’t be significant.”

Lendore does not buy into the theory that a 2021 staging of the Olympics levels the playing field.

“Nope. Everyone won’t have a fair chance because we aren’t all under the same lockdown. For example, I can still go out and use a park sometimes, unlike people at home and other countries that are severely impacted. I don’t see it as equal opportunities.”

In his only competitive 2020 outing, Lendore won an indoor 300m race in Texas in 33.21 seconds. The two-time IAAF World Indoor Championship 400m bronze medallist said training was going well, and he was on course for a strong Olympic showing.

“I’m always mentally prepared to go forth and challenge whatever opportunities come before me. That’s the mindset I try to maintain. Personally, if we’re not including the virus, I would have been happy for a 2020 Olympics. With the virus, definitely 2021.”

Lendore has not totally written off the possibility of competing again in 2020, but is wary about crossing the Atlantic.

“For my safety, I’m not looking to travelling to Europe to compete. Only if the Caribbean or United States host events, I may dabble in something.

“Athletics is my job,” the Trinidad and Tobago track star continued. “Without races you don’t have the opportunities to earn, so now you’re back to serious financial planning to ensure you stay on top of things.”

With well over 14 months to go before the Tokyo Games opening ceremony, many adjustments have to be made.

“You manage by not thinking about it. There are many other things to keep your mind occupied. For me, I’ve placed my focus in the kitchen,” Lendore ended, “learning new recipes.”