Athletes get imaginative in lockdown
Many of us have had to make changes to our exercise regime in order to stick to government pandemic restrictions and help save lives. Of course, England’s top athletes are not exempt from the government guidelines. However, despite the Olympics being postponed until next year, they have been hard at work to try to keep their training intact within the restrictions; it’s been more difficult for some than others. Sprinters and field-eventers, in particular, have found the closures of gyms and tracks hard-hitting. Some of our top athletes have therefore had to be quite imaginative. Whether winning methods or not, they’ve given us a smile on social media in these difficult times.
Kat’s home heptathlon
World heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson recently reconstructed the hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin and 800m in her home and garden.
The Liverpool Harrier’s exploits involved racing dogs Chorizo and Bronx, throwing a paper aeroplane and hurdling a cushion adorned with the face of her partner, world indoor 60m hurdles champion Andrew Pozzi.
Hopefully not the only heptathlon I’ll be doing this year 😅🤞🏽
Had a lot of fun filming this! #homeheptathlon pic.twitter.com/twAJq2bxaM
Kat is also asking a favour - help design a special medal for our key workers
Teaming up with @_funetics to ask kids across the country to "Design a Rainbow Medal” to support our superhero key workers 🏅 Every entrant will also get access to primary school level funetics Home School Pack 🙌🏻 Visit: https://t.co/SGHLUSl6Tx pic.twitter.com/Rej3OO8cx2
Running the bath
Adam Gemili, who was fourth at the 2016 Olympics over 200m, endeavoured to replicate his event by sprinting in the bath.
Home workout to start the new week. Copied this from a video I saw online and I have to say it’s definitely a blow. Gotta get my sprint reps in somehow though! 🤷🏾♂😂 pic.twitter.com/YNO16WvpwJ
No gym, no problem
World hammer finalist Nick Miller has improvised when it comes to his weight training. He joined up a scaffolding pipe and some log rounds for a 140g set of dumbbells.
Jump to it
UK’s top triple jumper Ben Williams replaced a runway for the roadside to try to get a jump on his rivals during lockdown.
Tom raises the bar
Thanks to the carpentry skills of his dad, high jumper Tom Gale, the European U23 silver medallist, shows the sky’s the limit when it comes to lockdown training.
Abigail is on track
World long jump finalist Abigail Irozuru hasn’t let the closure of track facilities thwart her.
Laviai is streets apart
World 400m semi-finalist Laviai Nielsen has been taking to the streets and to her conservatory to keep her training going.