Unfazed by COVID-19, South Sudan athletes train for Tokyo Olympics

A group of four track athletes and a coach from South Sudan have been stuck in Maebashi City, in Tokyo, Japan, since November 2020.

The athletes arrived in November 2020 only to be bombarded by the frustrating news that the tournament had been postponed for a year due to the nagging coronavirus pandemic. But they turned their troubles into meaningful ventures after investing their time on the training as they wait for the price.

Speaking to Reuters, the athletes said they are not in a hurry to return home but will wait until such a time that the 2021 Tokyo Olympics will be held to compete.

“If that will be held, it’s OK, and that is all…I don’t want to confuse my mind. I just focus on my training,” said Akoon Akoon, an 18-year-old who will be competing in the 400-metre hurdle race.

But according to Abraham Majok, a 1500-metre athlete, the delay has dealt them a blow because they wanted to use the opportunity to put the country in the map. He told Reuters the runners want to use the opportunity to unify South Sudanese people especially during the period of healing from the wounds of civil war.

“The image of the team here is a big sign of unity, because all of us are from different states,” he said, adding, “When our people back home watch us all from different states working together…and representing the country at the world level, the people will really be happy.”

Japan currently has 390,687 COVID-19 infections and 5,766 deaths making the country to go on partial lockdowns.

The President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga are determined to hold the games despite growing opposition that the events should be postponed.