Corona also threatens the Summer Olympics. World-class athlete Pamela Dutkiewicz from the Kassel district talks to us about the Olympic chaos.
- Because of the corona virus, it is still unclear whether the 2020 Summer Olympics will take place
- Interview with Olympic athlete Pamela Dutkiewicz
- The latest developments on Corona in Kassel in the news ticker
Kassel - While championships around the world are being suspended, postponed or canceled, and the athletes are getting clarity, one question is still unanswered: What will happen to the Summer Olympics, which are to take place in Tokyo from July 24 to August 9?
The International Olympic Committee reiterated on Tuesday that it would hold on to the staging. But this is becoming increasingly questionable, especially in view of the corona pandemic . What the hanging section means and how the corona virus has changed everyday life - this is what the world-class hurdle sprinter Pamela Dutkiewicz from Baunatal talks about in an interview.
Has your Olympic dream burst?
It is not yet. As of today, the Olympic Games are taking place. The worst is currently the state of limbo. We don't like athletes at all. Qualification competitions are gradually being canceled. The Olympic bases are closed, training camps canceled. But we can't just put our legs up for two weeks. And we are a long way from preparing for competitive sports or even Olympic-specific preparation. Ultimately, we train, but we don't know what for.
Corona - Olympic athlete from the district of Kassel demands concrete statements
What kind of scenario do you expect: cancellation, postponement to the summer of 2022 or a ghost backdrop?
I have a request to the International Olympic Committee: Dear people, act. A clear signal is needed in the direction of the athletes: we understand you, hold out. By mid-April at the latest, we will tell you: Olympics are taking place or not. Alfons Hörmann, the president of the German Olympic Sports Association, even spoke of a deadline at the end of May. That would be far too late.
Why?
You can't keep us waiting that long and take away the training opportunities at the same time. Those in charge expect us to keep fit for the Olympic Games. However, at the moment we cannot train as it would be necessary for the Olympics . And how should we build a shape without knowing what for?
Realistically speaking, the worst would be if there were a strange qualification phase for the Olympics, for example if you were allowed to participate in the top 40 in the world rankings, without any prior competition. Not all nations would go along with that. It would also be bad to host the summer games in an empty stadium. That would not be worthy of the Olympic Games. We need a specific date quickly. Because there are also economic aspects for us.
Olympia threatened by Corona - Olympian from the Kassel district is not afraid of existence
Are you currently afraid of existence in view of the developments?
No. Currently my sources of income continue to run. But you never know if and how economic changes at the sponsors can also affect me. Meetings bring good money. Entry fees and bonuses are largely eliminated. It's a shit.
Other contracts are based on Olympic participation. The support from the German Sports Aid and the German Athletics Association (DLV) is based on the squad status and the question of what you achieved in the season. There are many unanswered questions at the moment, but I assume that we will find a fair solution.
What is the support from DLV like these days?
There is a lot of movement in it, but the association cannot decide a lot on its own, but is dependent on politics and authorities. We are currently thinking smaller and working with local experts. I am thankful for this team, it works well.
Olympic athlete from the district of Kassel on the effects of Corona: "blatant deceleration"
How has Corona practically changed your life?
On April 5, I would have started training camp in Florida. That is deleted. Specifically, I had an appointment with a possible sponsor in Cologne who wanted to jump on the train towards the Olympia. We postponed the conversation. First of all, everyone has to look for themselves. Overall, the days are a great slowdown with a lot of rest and a lot of renunciation.
However, as a society we have an overall responsibility to do only the most necessary things. On Sunday I wanted to meet my girlfriend, a primary school teacher. She canceled because she coughed a little. We actually see each other every two or three weeks. What remains is the small circle of people I see every day.
That means at least the training is still going as planned?
Yes, in a slimmed-down form. I go jogging in the park, do mountain and speed runs in sneakers on gravel. Our sport needs spikes on the tartan track, not to mention hurdles.
"Training is my anchor point"
World-class competitive sports are planned in detail. What does the training control look like at the moment?
It is very difficult. We almost only think from day to day. Our trainer writes training plans weekly. At the moment, I only know that I have five units to go until Saturday.
Can you still motivate yourself?
I am always motivated, training is my anchor point. Every unit actually has one focus, namely the knowledge of being fit for a specific competition on a specific day. Now it feels different. Especially in this phase of the season, there is a lot of something specific, the tingling sensation arises. But I don't feel that at the moment.
To person
Pamela Dutkiewicz (28) comes from Baunatal ( Kassel district ) and starts for TV Wattenscheid. In 2017 she celebrated her biggest success with bronze over 100 meter hurdles at the World Championships in London. At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, she was twelfth in the semifinals. She lives in Bochum with her partner Maik.