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Devastated parents of Canberra’s Olympic Games hopefuls are coming to grips with the prospect of having to watch their children from home as the Japanese government weighs up whether it will allow international spectators to attend events. International Olympic Committee officials are planning to host the Games under revised conditions after being forced to reschedule because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Athletes will spend limited time in Tokyo before and after competition, but families and friends will reportedly have to stay at home when the Games begin in July. Some Canberrans have already qualified, while others are ramping up their pursuit of a ticket to Tokyo. Several parents had already secured tickets to watch their children compete, including Leanne Henderson, the mum of two-time Olympic mountain-bike star Rebecca McConnell. Ms Henderson’s tickets have been on hold since the Games were postponed last year. “I’m actually devastated,” Ms Henderson said. “We’re not just on the stands – with mountain-biking we’re around the corners, pushing her on along the trails. It’s quite sad really. “Especially this year because it’s looking to be her best Olympic result yet. A bit of a party with the whole family gathering around the TV, whatever time of the day or night. We’ll still be watching.” The decision to exclude overseas spectators comes in response to the public concern and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus mutations across the globe, officials said. There will be more than 10,000 athletes at the Games and most usually have a support crew of family and friends following their every move. Kerry and Neil Boden have followed hurdling daughter Lauren around the world since for the past 15 years. “Certainly for younger athletes who are experiencing a games for their first time, the prospect of no supporters is dramatically disappointing,” Mr Boden said. “But the key ingredient is to have competitions in a safe environment, so we welcome the announcement. “Everyone is starving for this kind of top-level competition, so I think [the competition] will actually be the star of this year’s Games.” The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is likely to release a statement early next week following their upcoming meeting. With the support of other governing bodies, it is expected that this will contain an official travel ban on internationals travelling to Tokyo for the Games. Being the father of an NBA player over the past 12 months has meant Benny Mills is pretty used to watching his son, Patty Mills, play through a screen. Still, Mr Mills says being unable to attend the Games and watch the basketball star compete at his fourth Olympics, like he has in the past, will be difficult but necessary. “Throughout the pandemic, sports has been played in a bubble. This is no different. We really need to respect the conditions that we’re in and accept that this is for the safety of the players,” Mr Mills said. Keith Roberts said his daughter, champion javelin-thrower Kelsey-Lee Barber, already expected that COVID-19 travel restrictions would prevent him and his wife Bev from heading to Tokyo. “She has come to terms with the fact that the environment is going to be very different,” he said. “Part of her training has been to factor in that there will be no crowd and no family support.”
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Devastated parents of Canberra’s Olympic Games hopefuls are coming to grips with the prospect of having to watch their children from home as the Japanese government weighs up whether it will allow international spectators to attend events.
International Olympic Committee officials are planning to host the Games under revised conditions after being forced to reschedule because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Athletes will spend limited time in Tokyo before and after competition, but families and friends will reportedly have to stay at home when the Games begin in July.
Some Canberrans have already qualified, while others are ramping up their pursuit of a ticket to Tokyo.
Several parents had already secured tickets to watch their children compete, including Leanne Henderson, the mum of two-time Olympic mountain-bike star Rebecca McConnell. Ms Henderson’s tickets have been on hold since the Games were postponed last year.
“I’m actually devastated,” Ms Henderson said. “We’re not just on the stands – with mountain-biking we’re around the corners, pushing her on along the trails. It’s quite sad really.
Mountain-biker Rebecca McConnell will be competing at her third Olympic Games this year. Picture: Supplied
“Especially this year because it’s looking to be her best Olympic result yet. A bit of a party with the whole family gathering around the TV, whatever time of the day or night. We’ll still be watching.”
The decision to exclude overseas spectators comes in response to the public concern and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus mutations across the globe, officials said.
There will be more than 10,000 athletes at the Games and most usually have a support crew of family and friends following their every move.
Kerry and Neil Boden have followed hurdling daughter Lauren around the world since for the past 15 years.
“Certainly for younger athletes who are experiencing a games for their first time, the prospect of no supporters is dramatically disappointing,” Mr Boden said.
“But the key ingredient is to have competitions in a safe environment, so we welcome the announcement.
“Everyone is starving for this kind of top-level competition, so I think [the competition] will actually be the star of this year’s Games.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is likely to release a statement early next week following their upcoming meeting.
With the support of other governing bodies, it is expected that this will contain an official travel ban on internationals travelling to Tokyo for the Games.
Being the father of an NBA player over the past 12 months has meant Benny Mills is pretty used to watching his son, Patty Mills, play through a screen.
Still, Mr Mills says being unable to attend the Games and watch the basketball star compete at his fourth Olympics, like he has in the past, will be difficult but necessary.
“Throughout the pandemic, sports has been played in a bubble. This is no different. We really need to respect the conditions that we’re in and accept that this is for the safety of the players,” Mr Mills said.
Keith Roberts greeted daughter Kelsey-Lee Barber at Canberra Airport after she won the javelin world title. Picture: Karleen Minney
Keith Roberts said his daughter, champion javelin-thrower Kelsey-Lee Barber, already expected that COVID-19 travel restrictions would prevent him and his wife Bev from heading to Tokyo.
“She has come to terms with the fact that the environment is going to be very different,” he said.
“Part of her training has been to factor in that there will be no crowd and no family support.”
