Mel Marshall<\/strong> responded to the selection of Adam Peaty<\/strong> and Luke Greenbank<\/strong> to Team GB for the Tokyo Olympics by saying “a little bit of hope is what we all need” as the pandemic continues to wreak deadly havoc.<\/p>\n

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Luke Greenbank and Adam Peaty cheer Duncan Scott home to medley relay gold with James Guy at the World Championships in Gwangju – Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant<\/p><\/div>\n
Greenbank took bronze in the 200 back in Gwangju and also led off the British 4×100 medley relay that secured a stunning victory when Scott swam the second-fastest split in history<\/a> of 46.14 to overhaul Nathan Adrian<\/strong> in the final metres.<\/p>\n
However, speculation abounds as to whether the Games will go ahead as coronavirus cases soar around the world.<\/p>\n
On Friday, the Japanese government, IOC and IPC<\/a> all refuted a report in The Times that quoted a senior government source saying the Olympics will be cancelled.<\/p>\n
Marshall competed at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics before moving on to poolside as head coach at the City of Derby club where a 14-year-old Peaty accompanied his friend Kyle to a try-out session one day.<\/p>\n
The rest, as they say, is history.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Swimming World to mark International Women’s Day last year<\/a>, Marshall described those moments when she sat alone high up in the stands on 7 August 2016, a combination of worry, anticipation and excitement ahead of the race.<\/p>\n
And the sheer relief as he claimed the title, hauling himself on to the lane ropes, arms aloft and Marshall in tears.<\/p>\n
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Melanie Marshall – Photo Courtesy: Action Woman Twitter<\/p><\/div>\n
Now she hopes memories can be created in Tokyo – not only for Peaty and Greenbank but for all the athletes and the wider world.<\/p>\n
Marshall told Swimming World:<\/p>\n
“I am over the moon.<\/p>\n
“It was positive news the other day to hear the Japanese prime minister talk of his plans to protect the Games and (how he) sees it as a project where humanity can triumph in the summer.<\/p>\n
“While the world is experiencing a very difficult winter and working through the dark challenges of this tragic time, a little bit of hope is what we all need.<\/p>\n
“There are a group of athletes worldwide that I am sure are committed to every safety protocol needed to adhere to to be involved in the summer Games.<\/p>\n
“Covid has erased so much from everyone\u2019s memory books, the Olympics is always such a symbol for everyone.<\/p>\n
“Maybe this Summer the Games can be the first step towards normality.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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