Ukraine’s Tetyana BILENKO is in Kiev at home; like most of us in self isolation. “During quarantine all my days are almost the same. I do my homework with my son and every day I practice online with my physical training coach. It’s very difficult to live without table tennis. Unfortunately I have not table at home and all the halls are closed so there’s only fitness training ” said BILENKO. Now there is a time for something else: “There is a lot of time for time for making tasty and healthy dishes for watching movies reading books and spend all days with my baby.” BILENKO had a message to all: “I wish everyone good health and hope that soon we will all meet again at the competitions. However now is better to stay at home”.
The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be celebrated from 23 July to 8 August 2021
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Government of Japan today agreed new dates for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in 2021. The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be celebrated from 23 July to 8 August 2021. They also agreed on new dates for the Paralympic Games which will be celebrated from 24 August until 5 September 2021. The leaderships of the key parties came together via telephone conference earlier today joined by IOC President Thomas Bach Tokyo 2020 President Mori Yoshirō Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko and Olympic and Paralympic Minister Hashimoto Seiko and agreed on the new schedule. This decision was taken based on three main considerations and in line with the principles established by the IOC Executive Board (EB) on 17 March 2020 and confirmed at its meeting today. These were supported by all the International Summer Olympic Sports Federations (IFs) and all the National Olympic Committees (NOCs): To protect the health of the athletes and everyone involved and to support the containment of the COVID-19 virus. To safeguard the interests of the athletes and of Olympic sport. The global international sports calendar. These new dates give the health authorities and all involved in the organisation of the Games the maximum time to deal with the constantly changing landscape and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new dates exactly one year after those originally planned for 2020 (Olympic Games: 24 July to 9 August 2020 and Paralympic Games: 25 August to 6 September 2020) also have the added benefit that any disruption that the postponement will cause to the international sports calendar can be kept to a minimum in the interests of the athletes and the IFs. Additionally they will provide sufficient time to finish the qualification process. The same heat mitigation measures as planned for 2020 will be implemented. In a call on Tuesday 24 March 2020 based on information provided by the WHO at the time IOC President Thomas Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzō concluded that the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 would be held in their complete form and not later than summer 2021. The Prime Minister reiterated that the government of Japan stands ready to fulfil its responsibility for hosting these successful Games. At the same time IOC President Thomas Bach stressed the full commitment of the IOC to successful Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Following today’s decision the IOC President said: “I want to thank the International Federations for their unanimous support and the Continental Associations of National Olympic Committees for the great partnership and their support in the consultation process over the last few days. I would also like to thank the IOC Athletes’ Commission with whom we have been in constant contact. With this announcement I am confident that working together with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee the Tokyo Metropolitan Government the Japanese Government and all our stakeholders we can master this unprecedented challenge. Humankind currently finds itself in a dark tunnel. These Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 can be a light at the end of this tunnel.” Andrew Parsons the President of the IPC commented: “It is fantastic news that we could find new dates so quickly for the Tokyo 2020 Games. The new dates provide certainty for the athletes reassurance for the stakeholders and something to look forward to for the whole world. When the Paralympic Games do take place in Tokyo next year they will be an extra-special display of humanity uniting as one a global celebration of human resilience and a sensational showcase of sport. With the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games 512 days away the priority for all those involved in the Paralympic Movement must be to focus on staying safe with their friends and family during this unprecedented and difficult time.” The President of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee Mori Yoshirō said: “IOC President Thomas Bach and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee held a conference call today to discuss in detail the revised dates of the Tokyo 2020 Games. Minister for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Hashimoto Seiko and Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko joined the call. I proposed that the Games should be hosted between July and August 2021 and I really appreciate that President Bach having discussed this proposal with the various international sports federations and other related organisations kindly accepted my proposal. A certain amount of time is required for the selection and qualification of athletes and for their training and preparation and the consensus was that staging the rescheduled Games during the summer vacation in Japan would be preferable. In terms of transport arranging volunteers and the provision of tickets for those in Japan and overseas as well as allowing for the COVID-19 situation we think that it would be better to reschedule the Games to one year later than planned in the summer of 2021. Notwithstanding the postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the first time in history and various other issues that have already been highlighted the event schedule is the cornerstone of future preparations and I am convinced that taking this decision promptly will help speed up future preparations. I would like to thank all the stakeholders including the host city Tokyo and the Government of Japan for their hard work during this short period. The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee will continue to work hard for the success of next year’s Games.” Governor Koike Yuriko said: “In consideration of the global coronavirus outbreak we need a certain timeframe before we fully prepare for the delivery of Games that are safe and secure for the athletes and spectators. Also the preparation for the new dates will go smoothly as the dates match with same timeframe as the original competition dates corresponding with ticketing venue staffing volunteers and transport. Therefore I believe that celebrating the opening of the Olympic Games Tokyo
ITTF Executive Committee follow-up meeting on COVID-19
On Sunday 29 March 2020 the ITTF Executive Committee met to discuss further the effects of COVID-19 on the international table tennis event schedule. Due to the continued uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games the ITTF Executive Committee reached the following decisions: Suspension of all currently planned ITTF events and activities that involve international travel until 30 June 2020. Proposal of new dates for the Hana Bank 2020 World Team Table Tennis Championships to be announced in the coming week. Freezing of ITTF Ranking lists as of March 2020 and further evaluation of all implications related to the postponement of events travel restrictions and other complications with scope for further decisions on potentially necessary adjustments. Adjustments to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games qualification pathways will be worked on after the dates of the Games have been decided. The ITTF has also been working hard to manage the 2020 finances with the Executive Committee agreeing to reduce their expenses and senior staff offering to take a salary reduction as the ITTF looks into other areas to save overall costs. The above decisions overwrite those made during the previous ITTF Executive Committee meeting on 16 March 2020 in which today’s second meeting was already set up in order to follow up on the ever-changing situation globally. Another follow-up meeting will be held on 15 April 2020 to further evaluate the situation. The ITTF has intensified communications with the athletes through the support of the ITTF Athletes Commission and will continue to provide further updates on all upcoming decisions in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be a survey going to all athletes for their input to ensure that all decisions fully reflect their opinions.
PITCHFORD: I started to try yoga
Liam PITCHFORD is in Nottingham at home. “I am spending my time as wisely as I can now that we are on complete lockdown trying to stay on top of my physical and mental health as good as possible ” said Liam. How you keep your shape in special conditions? “I try to run a lot we are allowed out once per day for exercise outside of the home so it’s nice to get out in the forest and run but I also have some equipment at home for exercise so I try to follow my physical programme as well as I can with the limitations. “ Have you discover some new routines hobbies… “I started to try yoga a few days ago I think it can be a good way to keep the mind and body fresh and in sync with each other. But other than that I try to continue how I normally would.” What is you recommendation for book tv series movie for home isolation? “I’m a massive Game of Thrones fan so I would have to say watch that but I also like to play video games so I spend some time doing more of that now.” Message for the fans… “I hope that everybody is keeping well and staying safe. We can get through this together and we will be back training and competing again soon!”
Sam WALKER: I go out hiking in the countryside
England’s Sam WALKER uses every opportunity to stay in shape. “All my family is fine so far. I spend my days doing workouts at home watching movies reading playing Playstation and I try to get out a go hiking in the countryside! Keeping shape I’m lucky I can practice at my local club because my dad is the head of it and he has the keys so for now I’m able to use that just for me and my coach. So I’m practicing as usual there whilst doing a lot of running and workouts at home in the garden ” said WALKER. Any new hobbies? “I wouldn’t say I’ve discovered new hobbies I just have a bit more time to do the hobbies I already had so I go out hiking in the countryside a lot I’ve been watching a lot of Netflix and playing on the Playstation! I’m also really interested in history so I’ll have more time to learn more about ancient history which will be cool!” TV and movies? “The TV series I’d recommend is Peaky Blinders if you haven’t already seen it it’s amazing and I love it! I’m really into the classic movies like Pulp Fiction Shawshank Redemption Casino and stuff like that so I’d always recommend them! I’ve just finished reading Anthony Keidis’ book and that was really interesting so if you like the Red Hot Chili Peppers then that’s a good one to try.” Message to the fans? “To my fans I would just say to stay safe and healthy! Table tennis will be back soon enough but for now it’s not the most important thing!”
Dora MADARASZ addmited: I am not that good in UNO
Hungary’s Dora MADARASZ is at home discovering new skills to get over hard time of uncertainty and solitude. “I am in my hometown in Kecskemet with my parents so I can help them as much as I can. This is a difficult time for everyone and we are trying to follow our government’s advice ” said Dora. There are no tournaments but to stay in shape is important now. “I have some equipment to stay in shape I try my best to do in my home office and everyday I do some exercises.” When it comes to other home activates creativity helps as well: “We bought some board games and card games so afternoon’s programmed is mostly to play these. I figured out that I am not as good as I thought in UNO.I watch HBO GO and in Hungary there is a sport show called Exatlon Hungary so in the evening I watch this and we chat about this with my friends to figure out which team will win.” Dora addressed to her fans: “Please stay at home this is at least we can do to help to stop to spread this virus. I wish everyone to be safe and healthy.” #stayathome
European Universities Games 2020 Postponed
European University Sports Association (EUSA) and the Organising Committee of the 5th European Universities Games Belgrade 2020 have reached a decision to postpone the Games until summer 2021 due to the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. The exact dates of the competition will be confirmed at a later stage once feedback from all relevant stakeholders has been considered. European University Sports Association President and Secretary General Matjaz Pecovnik has issued an official announcement on that matter: “With the current situation unprecedented and unpredictable we acknowledged that the health and wellbeing of all involved could not be guaranteed by July nor would participants be able to adequately prepare considering the disruptions since the initial outbreak of the virus. The safety and protection of all EUG2020 participants athletes officials volunteers staff supporters partners federations EUSA members and the public at large remains our primary concern with this decision taken amid consultation with the highest national authorities of Serbia to ensure the wellbeing of all participants. We thank all stake-holders partners members and the organising committee for their tireless efforts and commitment amid the uncertainty since the outbreak of the virus and appreciate their unwavering support of the decision to continue with the organisation of the Games. We apologise for any inconvenience this unprecedented situation has caused and appreciate your support as we continue our preparations for what is still set to be one of the biggest European university sports competitions ever.”
Sarah DE NUTTE is busy around the house
“At the moment I am not practicing any table tennis. I came back from Oman on Sunday and after that I wanted to take a small break. Maybe five days or a week off from table tennis as I played a lot of tournaments in the last weeks and travelled a lot. So at the moment I am only doing physical practice. I was running twice this week and did some strength exercises at home. But I do not really have a lot of equipment so I am using what I have ” said DE NUTTE. Still there is a solution for table tennis after the break: “We have a table tennis table with a robot here in my parents’ home and I will probably use that in the next few days. I also use this time to work in and around the house.” Sarah recommended few movies: “I recently watched The Theory of Everything. I think it is very good one about Stephen Hawking. Also I liked The Art of Racing in the Rain. Very nice as well.”
FREITAS: We have to learn to behave better
Marcos FREITAS is in Portugal and he is in quarantine which was required after his trip. “I am in Madeira and so far the situation is not critical. However after I landed I have been told to stay 14 day in isolation and I am following the orders. I have travelled a lot in past two weeks and passed several international airports so it is the right thing to do. I am at home did not even see my parents yet because I do not want to put them in danger. I am in apartment alone “ said FREITAS. Since Marcos cannot leave home he has to find the way to stay in shape in new circumstances. “I try to make some routine to wake up early eat well and do some exercise in home conditions. After quarantine I will have to find a way to get back in shape and play.” However FREITAS is still looking at the bright side. “Right now the only good thing out of this is to learn from this situation and to start to behave better and treat well our Mother Earth.” Any recommendation for the movie: “Contagion. Which is kind a right for this situation.”
POLCANOVA: We have to think positive
Austria’s Sofia POLCANOVA keeps her body in good shape but she also found the way to keep her mind busy. “Mostly I spend my time at home with my fiancé. Sometimes I go out for some walk or to buy food but I always try to keep the distance from people or walk in less crowded places ” said POLCANOVA. Challenge of staying in good shape is accepted: “I do workout every day I got special programm from my fitness coach. Of course this is not the same but in these times we have to adjust to our conditions and think positive. There are plenty of exercises which I can do at home.” There is a new thing to do as well: “The new thing which I am doing everyday is yoga. I did mobilisation exercises before but this is something new what I am trying now. Also I have more time to read books or to analyse table tennis videos.” The recommendations for long hours at home: “The name of the book which I recently read is „The subtle art of not giving a f…“ from Mark Manson. For TV series I would recommend „Friends“ it never gets old and it is very positive or „This is us“. “ And the message is for all people: “Stay calm and positive! Don‘t underestimate the situation but please also don‘t overreact find the golden middle. Only together we can get through these hard times so follow the rules and wash your hands! If we all understand the situation it will be over sooner!”
