Smikle maintains calm in COVID-19 storm

Pan American Games discus silver medallist, Traves Smikle, says that he is keeping a level head in the midst of the great uncertainty that the year has brought him.

His 2020 season has been put in limbo as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which has pushed back the Tokyo Olympics until next year July and has halted track and field meets worldwide, including the postponement of all Diamond League events until June.

The inactivity has eliminated opportunities for athletes to earn on the circuit. In the midst of those challenges, in addition to the local restrictions being put in place by the Government, Smikle says that he is doing his best to maintain his mental focus and health. "It's a bit stressful, but at the same time I am not mentally drained or anxious or troubled. I'm calm," Smikle told STAR Sports. "I'm thinking more about how my approach will be in the coming months and for 2021."

Similar to fellow training partner Fedrick Dacres, Smikle is hoping that there will still be meets to compete in at some point this year, should it be safe to do so, and be able to recoup a portion of the money that will be lost because of postponed events.

Need money to survive

"At the end of the day, it's my job. I need to compete to make some money. The fact of the matter is that we need money to survive," he said. "If there is a possibility for me to compete, I would gladly participate. But with how things are going, you just have to hope and pray that there are at least one or two meets on."

He will not have to worry about Olympic qualification, having already been guaranteed a spot for the games. World Athletics recently revised the Olympic qualification period, which will run from December 1 until June 2021. He says he feels sympathetic to those athletes who will have to wait longer to have their Olympic fates decided.

"It takes a lot of pressure off us (who have qualified) because we can now strategise and be smart in our approach to 2021. So for myself, I am happy, but my heart goes out to the athletes that were on the verge of qualifying, or those who were having their breakout year this year," he said.