Contingencies Taking Shape as Paralympians mark 'One Year To Go' - Again

Complex logistical planning for the Australian Paralympic Team to operate within a Tokyo-based ‘bubble’ is continuing apace, as Para-athletes globally mark - for the second time - a year to go until the now-re-scheduled 2020 Paralympic Games.
 
Australia’s Para-athletes face unique individual and collective challenges to be ready for the Games, which start on August 24, 2021. Australian Paralympic Team Co-Captains Danni Di Toro and Ryley Batt said the postponement of original plans due to the COVID-19 virus had affected their teammates in different ways, with many living under strict lockdown restrictions, but anticipated the year-to-go milestone would be reinvigorating.
 
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Paralympics Australia is formulating contingencies for multiple scenarios and working multiple organisations around the world to seek the safety and success of competitors and staff at the Games.
 
Paralympics Australia’s Chief Executive Officer Lynne Anderson paid tribute to the perseverance of Australia’s Para-athletes and praised the Japanese and international organisations at the forefront of navigating the delicate situation.
 
“I’m in awe of what the Japanese Government, TOCOG [Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games] and the IPC [International Paralympic Committee] are attempting to do,” Anderson said.
 
“They built these Games in Japan over seven years and they were going to be a masterclass, there’s no doubt about that. Then, to attempt to re-do all of that in 12 months, is mind boggling. Things are still being worked through, but the scale and scope of what they’re trying to do is enormous.
 
“Closer to home, I’m proud of the way our athletes have responded, but not surprised. It’s not just about resilience. To me, resilience is about getting through a tough time. What our athletes show us is that they not only handle adversity but they come out powering on the other side.
 
“Similarly, with our PA staff, we’ve got a great team and we’re on the front foot in terms of our planning. These Games will be different, everyone knows there will be a Covid overlay of some sort, but we’re trying to make sure we’re in the best and safest possible position for our people.”
 
Anderson said the year-to-go milestone was more than symbolic in the circumstances.
 
“It’s clearly been a crushing time for everyone but especially our athletes, who had their dreams pinned to the Games this year, even though we know the postponement was the right decision,” she said.
 
“Given that, it’s important to mark this moment as a time to go full steam ahead towards the Games next year. It’s a positive moment in a year when we haven’t had much to celebrate.”
 
Australian Team Chef de Mission, Kate McLoughlin, is in regular contact with counterparts in Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand and elsewhere, sharing information and scenario planning, including having the Australian Team and staff move between sealed areas at venues, the Paralympic Village and a nearby school.
 
“A problem shared is a problem halved,” McLoughlin said.
 
“There’s no competitive advantage to be gained by not sharing information with other countries around how we’re going to approach the Games within the Covid environment. We all realise we have to think outside the box. Everything we’re doing is focused around giving our athletes the best possible performance environment and ensuring their health and safety is well looked after. We’re putting really robust risk mitigation strategies in place in relation to Covid.”
 
“We have a fantastic team behind the team and the collaborative and supportive Paralympic team culture that has been created over the past few Games is now coming to the fore. From our National Sports Organisation and National Institute Network partners, to our world-class operational, performance support and medical staff, everyone is banding together to think innovatively and are working together for our athletes. Tokyo will be a very different Paralympic Games, but we have so much to be proud of and I know we have the right team to rise to this challenge.
 
Six-time Paralympian, Di Toro, said the situation presented her teammates the chance to consider “what they’re really reaching for within themselves”.
 
“We’re not athletes because of the Paralympic Games, we’re athletes because we love the battle,” Di Toro said.
 
“We love to push ourselves and see what’s possible - and that’s a daily battle. This is an opportunity for Para-athletes to think about why we do what we do.
 
“My hope is that the year-to-go mark reminds everyone of that and sparks their motivation once again to be better on the field, off the field, as people and as athletes.”
 
Wheelchair rugby star, Batt, supported Di Toro’s sentiment.
 
“It’s tough to keep things moving along, especially in Victoria at the moment, but it’s up to all of us to adapt over the next year,” the dual gold medallist said.
 
“When we’re able to get back to training properly, I think the overall feeling will be that we won’t take it for granted and will make sure that every minute counts even more.”

Supplied by Paralympics Australia