Lorde wants athletes to remain active

- by Barbados Today March 18, 2020

The economic impact of COVID-19 isn’t all Barbados should be worried about.

World renowned anti-doping official Dr Adrian Lorde is cautioning competitive athletes, sportspeople and Bajans in general, to remain active while all local leagues have been suspended.

“Of course I want us to be cautious and safe but at the same time I want persons to keep active and exercise for obvious reasons,” reasoned Lorde.

“Just don’t lose your fitness so run, walk, swim, jog, ride, do free hand exercises, weight train, resistance exercise, push ups, pull ups and planks. Just once you stay away from large gatherings.”

Lorde made the call after most domestic leagues suspended their ongoing seasons following yesterday’s announcement of the country’s first two confirmed coronavirus cases.

The National Primary Schools Athletic Championships continued as normal yesterday but local basketball, netball, football and volleyball all halted their competitions indefinitely after gatherings of more than 100 persons were discouraged.

The CARIFTA Games were cancelled altogether before the Barbados Secondary Schools Athletic Championships followed suit this week.

This follows a recent global trend that has seen the immediate suspension of major leagues such as the NBA, NHL, MLB and ATP tour.

But Lorde believes there is still an avenue for sportspeople to remain active without actual competition.

“I think we just have to beware of contact sports and be mindful of things like not sharing water bottles, racquets, bats and things of that nature,” Lorde advised.

“You shouldn’t be shaking hands or doing high fives and if you have a cough or shortness of breath then you should stay away.

“In all of this though we must stay fit. Do cross training and if the gyms are closed then do the sensible thing.”

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