EIS Performance Lifestyle team supporting athletes during COVID-19
The English Institute of Sport (EIS) Performance Lifestyle team believes athletes are embracing a world beyond sport like never before in these challenging times.
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games has altered the immediate training environments and future plans of World Class Programme (WCP) athletes. In the face of this unprecedented change, athletes are being supported by EIS Performance Lifestyle practitioners, embedded within sports, from the development of new skills to managing existing projects and supporting well-being.
And the team of practitioners have noticed a step-change in the way athletes are approaching their life outside of sport and the new environment they are faced with.
“I think we’re seeing athletes more as people during this time,” said Head of Performance Lifestyle Jo Harrison.
“Our practitioners say they’ve had some of the most reflective, philosophical conversations they’ve ever had with athletes because they have the time and space to think.
“When you see an athlete in their training environment, their head is down, it’s fast-paced and they’re focused. This situation has slowed everything down. What’s coming across a lot in our conversations is that there is an unpredictability to life, and sport is no exception.
“In some sports, you can measure everything; everything has a number attached to it and that makes it feel like everything can be controlled. But this current situation has given athletes a good chunk of perspective – and there’s more to you as a person than what you do.”
The ongoing Performance Lifestyle campaign #More2Me encourages athletes to consider life outside of and beyond sport, developing a more rounded identity.
“We’re hoping we can engage more and more athletes in appropriate and constructive activity outside of sport, so that they feel the benefits and maintain it when normal training resumes,” said Harrison.
Fundraising for the NHS, engaging with social media followers with home workouts and learning new languages are just some of the activities being undertaken by athletes. Performance Lifestyle practitioners have been able to respond and offer specific support. For example, athletes who also own their own businesses, such as in Equestrian, have needed to quickly understand the Government packages and resources available to business owners.
As athletes look towards contemplating a return to training, Performance Lifestyle support will continue to be there for them.
“We’re posing the question to athletes – when you look back on this period of time, what do you want to be proud of?” said Harrison.
“We want an athlete’s experience of the World Class Programme to be about more than the pursuit of a medal; having the best possible experience and continuing to grow and develop as a person.”