To think elite sport should not be exempt...

[bluebluezoo]

And that all international competitions etc should be cancelled, including the olympics?

Elite athletes are carrying on more or less as normal through this pandemic. Training camps abroad, no quarantine, even if not in travel corridor.

Many of the lesser known sports aren’t even doing routine testing.

Competitions still taking place, travelling country to country. From january the cycle of international olympic qualification events and trials start.

Facilities open even in tier 4/lockdown so elite athletes can train. Some travelling cross borders to get to training.

The travelling and freedom of movement is putting athletes careers and health at risk, and risking their families, schoolfriends if still at school, and the rest of us.

This pandemic isn’t going anywhere.

Also because of the restrictions to a narrow description of “elite” it means many athletes who may have competed in olympic trials now can’t.

Yep, we should all barricade ourselves in our homes and slowly die off, one by one. That'll show that Covid who's boss.

We're still working as well, and for DH that includes some international travel. Why is it just elite athletes you think should stop working?

Elite athletes and their teams are tested endlessly. This would pick up any infections and limit spread very quickly. There are activities which should be stopped well before stopping elite sports could make an impact.

Children's extra curricular activities worry me more, if we want to do our best to keep school open then children's bubbles should consist of their home and school class only.

Maybe AiBU then

Just seems a bit mad to go abroad for training when they could train in the UK.

The olympics will be over 10000 athletes gathering from all over the world. That’s without spectators. Unless they can vaccinate all athletes in the next 6 months?

When you say they should stop working, that’s another discussion. Why is it only “paid”, ie funded elite athletes allowed to train? That’s a small % of those eligible for olympic trials.

See Daniel Bramble. Has jumped olympic qualifying distance, but because he isn’t funded has been working as an amazon delivery driver. Many sports aren’t including non funded in the description of “elite”.

I’m not saying they should stop training, but many of us have had to change working patterns.

Being able to watch sport is one of the few 'live' activities available, and I think is being kept because of the role it has in many people's lives.

If the saddos who glory seekingly follow Manchester United could not get their fix, I can imagine the response.

I agree about UK based training though.

Elite athletes and their teams are tested endlessly. This would pick up any infections and limit spread very quickly

Not all of them. The bigger sports like football are.

I disagree that elite sports or children's sports should be stopped.
If they do not train at that level they lose fitness, stamina etc same goes for children who have a future in sports.
If you don't want your child to go to sport clubs, then you can stop them. However, my children will continue to go as long as they can. The impact first lockdown and following had on my son was very negative, he is advanced in sport and this has held him back. We are as careful as we can be, all sporting activities are very strictly controlled and do not allow parents to watch. I don't think it's sport that you should be aiming your issues with. Whatever way you look at it, whatever you do, someone will be at a disadvantage.

I think the bigger issue is people crowding into shopping centres, seeing people when they shouldn't and generally flouting the rules.

I disagree that elite sports or children's sports should be stopped

To be clear, i am not saying training or local activities should be stopped.

I am saying the exemptions to travel nationally and internationally should reflect the severity of local virus rates etc. And that those that organise competitions should think seriously about the safety of participants.

Why is it only “paid”, ie funded elite athletes allowed to train it isn't. Two of my son's athletics group are classed as elite, neither are funded but both are allowed to cross tiers to train. One of them needs to as she lives about 1km from the tier border in tier 4, the other is in tier 2, about 1km the other side of the border as the crow flies!