The Road Got Longer
This year, City Asset Management are delighted to support Danny Sidbury in his efforts to reach the Tokyo Paralympics. Danny has an inspirational story to tell and we hope you will join us in following his journey through his blog posts with City Asset Management or on Instagram @dansidbury .
At this stage I think we are all aware of the Coronavirus and the impact it's having on sporting events and athletes lives.
Life has changed dramatically in the last few weeks, most of my competitions have been cancelled and daily training has also been affected. It's been a tough pill to swallow training so hard for the best part of 7 months only to be denied the opportunity to test and prove myself. The proof of the pudding is in the eating and I'm being denied my pudding!
The announcement of the Paralympic games being postponed until 2021 has been a huge relief, because up until that point, the Games were due to go ahead as scheduled. However, with competitions leading up to the Games being cancelled, my possibilities of getting qualification standards was quickly evaporating. I found myself frustrated and in an awkward state of limbo. Team that with the government announcement of the closure of all leisure centres and I found myself becoming increasingly stressed by the situation. Because not only were my competitions being cancelled left, right and centre leaving me without the opportunity for selection, but also my training had now been compromised due to government action.
Now for the positives!
I've had some time to reflect and settle into the 'new normal' I'm training from home were it's become more relaxed and more fun. I'm aware that the government allow up to 1 hour of daily exercise and as much as I would like to be training outdoors, I choose to lead by example and stay home, for the sake of my own health and that of others.
I believe with the new dates for the Games set in the summer of 2021 benefits me greatly! It gives me an additional 12 months to hone my skills, to perfect and to improve. Giving me much better probability for selection for Tokyo 2021!
When we talk about the Coronavirus and how it's being affecting everyone it's worth mentioning that I am one of the lucky ones. Despite the financial impact (no racing, no income).
I'm fit and healthy and so are my family. And at the end of the day, it's only racing, it's only sport. There are much more important things that require our attention right now.
Stay safe
Danny Sidbury racing - photo by Peter Milsom
All pictures credited to Peter Milsom