{"id":423798,"date":"2020-03-23T00:34:53","date_gmt":"2020-03-23T07:34:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=423798"},"modified":"2024-10-28T12:02:55","modified_gmt":"2024-10-28T19:02:55","slug":"tokyo-games-over-swimming-australia-shuts-down-high-performance-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/tokyo-games-over-swimming-australia-shuts-down-high-performance-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Over: Swimming Australia Shuts High Performance Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Swimming Australia\u2019s High Performance programs will be shut down immediately<\/strong> and for the foreseeable future<\/strong> following one of the most dramatic days in Olympic sports with the Australian Olympic Committee<\/strong> confirming it will not be safe to send its team to the Tokyo 2020 Games in July.<\/p>\n

A dramatic decision which while it had been expected, was also warranted and welcomed but is now a stark reality that the last four years will be lost – extended for another year.<\/p>\n

A decision that will cut straight to the hearts of it’s prized swim team with seasoned Olympians, youngsters aspiring to go to their first Games and marathon girl Kareena Lee<\/strong>, who had been the first swimmer named on the team for her Olympic debut in the 10km marathon – all left empty.<\/p>\n

With the IOC hinting that a postponement was imminent the AOC wasted no time in finally setting the record straight with Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman<\/strong> admitting earlier in the day that Toyko 2020 awaited official postponement.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s clear the Games can\u2019t be held in July,\u201d Chesterman told his athletes as it waits for the IOC to confirm the inevitable.<\/p>\n

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) informed its athletes they should prepare for a Tokyo Olympic Games in the northern summer of 2021, following the IOC\u2019s announcement of a potential postponement of this year\u2019s Games and changes in public health landscape in Australia and across the globe.<\/p>\n

Last night Australia\u2019s Prime Minister Scott Morrison virtually closed the curtain on the country \u2013 placing it in an unprecedented lockdown \u2013 never seen before.<\/p>\n

And forcing Swimming Australia, after consultation with the Dolphins Leadership group and HP team, to take the next dramatic steps to tell its athletes their Tokyo dreams were over.<\/p>\n

Believing they all now need to prioritise their own health and of those around them, and to be able to return to the families, in discussion with their National Federations.<\/p>\n

\"Kyle

Kyle Chalmers – Photo Courtesy: Anthony Burns APP<\/p><\/div>\n

It comes just 10 days after so many of Australia\u2019s prospective Olympic team had produced world class times \u2013 with Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers<\/strong> and four-time Rio Olympic medallist Emma McKeon<\/strong> in crushing form at the NSW Championships.<\/p>\n

This morning they were up early and churning up and down pools \u2013 all over Australia \u2013 from Chandler, to Southport, Sydney Olympic Park, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth \u2013 it was Game On!<\/p>\n

But before their scheduled afternoon workouts it was Games Over.<\/p>\n

Tomorrow morning they will not rise for a heart-rate set but an extended break \u2013 their hearts hurting as they come to terms with such a different time.<\/p>\n

Breaking from such a regimented routine \u2013 joining the rest of the country in shutdown – their dreams put on hold as we all come to terms with unprecedented and uncertain times – but certainty that 2020 will now become 2021.<\/p>\n

Swimming Australia CEO Leigh Russell<\/strong> said in response to the AOC\u2019s call that it was clear that to stop the spread of COVID-19 that everyone must all follow government advice and practice physical distancing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn light of all non-essential services being shut down we will suspend all of our Olympic and Paralympic training programs for the foreseeable future,\u201d said Russell.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe safety and health of our athletes, coaches, staff, their families and our community, is paramount at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Russell supported the AOC\u2019s decision, welcoming their acknowledgement that an Australian Olympic team could not be assembled in 2020 considering current global circumstances.<\/p>\n

\u201cGiven the current situation worldwide, it has become evident that it is not safe for the Games to be staged in its current time frame,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough it\u2019s a devastating prospect for the Games to be postponed, it is the correct decision, as we must focus on our families and our communities at this challenging time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand our country is experiencing unprecedented circumstances, as are our athletes who are only just starting to digest this news.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re very conscious of their mental health and wellbeing and will provide support to our athletes, as well as our coaches and staff, through our wellbeing support networks.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cWhen the time is right, we will look ahead to the planning phase for 2021 but right now our focus must remain on stopping and slowing the spread of COVID-19 and supporting our people.”<\/p>\n

Following the government\u2019s most recent advice and further restrictions being imposed across the country, and after consultation with high performance coaches, Swimming Australia\u2019s High Performance programs would immediately shut down.<\/p>\n

Extraordinary Events In Swimming History:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The chronology of cancellation:<\/em><\/p>\n