Sir Chris Hoy is hoping for the memorable Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy believes the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will provide welcome relief while the Covid-19 pandemic eases – even without fans.
Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto announced this week that a decision on international audiences and the potential for each venue would be made by the end of March.
Six-time gold medalist Sir Chris believes competitors will do their best to represent their country whether the venues are full or not.
“If we get any competition at all that’s very successful,” he said.
“The past year has had an impact on how we have impacted our lives, if we can be in the Olympics in some form or another, that must be a win, even if it does not mean any crowd to support the athletes.
“If it can go ahead, it will be wonderful, even if there are no fans, athletes have to stay alone in hotels, even if that whole experience is a bit weakened, it is better for it to happen in some form or another. than not at all.
“There is no question that it will be the same experience without a crowd but ultimately in the heat of the moment, they will just focus on their own performance and just the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games, because for many athletes, this could be the only chance in their lives to represent their country at the Olympics or Paralympics.
Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto says a decision will be made on whether fans will be able to attend the Olympics before the end of March.
“Because we have been so much in sport for the last 12 months, anything you can see or see and connect with you may have more of a connection. So while they would be happy to do it in front of a crowd, any competition is better than nothing. “
For many who want to take part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the traditional build-up is no longer there, with regional and warm-up competitions being restored, but Sir Chris believes there will be no major problems.
“After talking to a few of the riders, they just promise 100 per cent as if it was going ahead and it was business as usual and that’s what you can do,” he said. you can even have the slightest idea that it may or may not happen or that training may be a waste of nothing or effort. They don’t think so.
“In many ways people value the Olympics and sport in general more. The relief it gives you, a routine break when we’re all locked up, sport has been so small escape so I hope the Olympics will be a great opportunity for people to lose themselves in sport, to celebrate and form with the athletes when they win or they will lose and we hope that when we are through all this, people want to get involved in sport themselves. “
Sir Chris had some of the greatest victories at London 2012 and admitted that he understands how lucky he was to compete in front of the home crowd.
He recalled: “Even before the whole coronavirus condition started, you look back on your career and are very grateful because you realize that there are so many things that can occurrence, injuries, accidents, illness, loss of form which means you won t choose.
With the onset of the coronavirus, the Olympic Games were postponed last summer
“To be able to compete in front of a home crowd at the home Olympics, we were all very aware at the time how special 2012 was and how lucky we were as athletes to have that opportunity. You feel grateful.
“I went to four Olympic Games and I was so lucky to go when not many athletes can go to one. But those who get a chance to go, even if it’s just to one, will do their part best of all opportunity and it will still be special even if no one in the crowd wants to build on them.
“They will know at home that their family and friends are celebrating TV and all the fans are willing and if we can have that competition and the Olympic and Paralympic spirit to keep that going that has to be a good thing. “
Sir Chris is expected to be taken over as Britain’s most decorated Olympian and suspects the Kennys could overtake him.
Jason Kenny has already been equated with Sir Chris while his wife Laura Kenny is not far behind.
“The records are going to go away at some point and if you are going to lose your record, you want to lose it to a friend and I think if it goes on, Jason will give it to me. because the sprint of the medalling team has a very good chance, “said Sir Chris.
Sir Chris predicts a successful Olympics for Jason and Laura Kenny
“But we could both have jumped on his wife: I think Laura has a great chance of winning three gold medals and passing both of us.
“In many ways, the delay in the Olympics helped her. Last year she had a very serious accident and broke her spine just before the World Championships so that she would not have the perfect run into what would have been her. being in Olympic Time.
“Laura is a teammate and a good friend and I would love to make the goods.”
Sir Chris was speaking as an Academy Member on behalf of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which uses sport to help poor young people around the world.
The annual Laureus World Sports Awards will not take place as usual this year, but there is plenty of interest in Britain with Lewis Hamilton looking to hold the Sportsman of the Year and Liverpool award for Team of the Year.
Sir Chris said: “Traditionally the Laureus Awards are very attractive, every year the biggest names in sport come and it is a great honor to win.
“This year the Awards could not be held physically, but we do have some fantastic Awards, and we still want to recognize all the great sporting achievements.
It all started from Nelson Mandela ‘s remarkable speech back in 2000 that’ sport has the power to change the world ‘and I’m sure we all agree with that. I’m sure it will also put pressure on the Sports sector to Good where amazing things are happening to improve the lives of children through the power of sport and that is at the heart of the Laureus Foundation. “
This year the Laureus Awards will not be presented at an open ceremony, but individually to winners due to the global pandemic.
The winners will be announced in May as part of the ‘Virtual’ Awards event.