Tokyo's Delayed Olympic Games: A Biker's Take on the Gut-wrenching Emotions Stirred by the Cancellation
Amelia White's Olympic Journey Takes an Unexpected Turn
Amelia White, an Australian para-dressage rider, had been preparing tirelessly for the Tokyo Olympics, leaving her family and home behind to pursue her dreams. However, the unexpected postponement of the games due to the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a spanner in the works.
White was shortlisted to ride for the Australian Paralympic team with her 9-year-old KWPN gelding, Genius. Her training program, tailored to have Genius reach peak performance for qualifiers, has been disrupted by the postponement.
The postponement is a significant adjustment for all athletes, especially those competing in equestrian sports. Horses are not easily trained and primed for events as monumental as the Olympic Games. Riders like White are drawing on the epic experience of their trainers to prepare for the uncertainties of the Tokyo Games in 2021.
White moved to Germany in 2015 to train with Olympian Helen Langehanenberg, a decision she made to pursue her dream of competing in the Paralympic Games. Langehanenberg's guidance has been instrumental in White's journey, and she is now using that experience to navigate the challenges posed by the postponement.
The postponement has brought about a mix of opportunities and challenges for equestrians. For some, like Julia Krajewski, a German equestrian who participated in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, an additional year may be an opportunity to qualify an additional up-and-coming horse for the Tokyo Games.
However, for others, especially those with older horses, the postponement presents tough decisions. Riders with horses nearing retirement may find it too much to ask them to maintain top level performance for another year.
White is struggling to come to terms with the postponement and the impact it has on her personal goals. She had felt her life goal of competing in the Tokyo Olympics was slipping away after the games were postponed. She has dropped her intensive training schedule and is riding less frequently, focusing on maintaining Genius's fitness and introducing higher level movements.
The risk of injury is a common aspect of equestrian sports, but the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics is not a risk that athletes had anticipated. The lack of routine has been a hard adjustment for White, and Genius, her horse, is enjoying the more relaxed schedule.
Final team selection remains uncertain for many countries due to the postponement. The postponement has also made it unclear how equestrians will meet their minimum requirements to qualify for Tokyo 2021. The Olympics were postponed for the first time in history due to a reason other than war, marking a significant moment in sports history.
Despite the challenges, White remains hopeful. She is determined to continue making the personal and financial sacrifices necessary to pursue her dreams, and she looks forward to the Tokyo Games in 2021.
