Splashbacks 2020 – March-April: COVID-19 Pandemic Dominates the Headlines
As Swimming World continues its look at 2020, there is no doubt what topic was the primary focus of the world, the sport and our readers for March and April. The COVID-19 pandemic dominated headlines during the year, but what it caused in March was epic. There were cancellations of multiple events and the sidelining of athletes from their training routines. The biggest effectof all, though, was the postponement of the Olympic Games, which were delayed to the Summer of 2021 in Tokyo.
Here is a look at which stories were the most read on the Swimming World website in March and April, with COVID-19 occupying many of the top-10 spots.
1. Coronavirus And Swimmers: CDC Issues Guidance On Water Transmission & COVID-19
Water and COVID-19: Photo Courtesy: CDC
Because COVID-19 was still new when this article ran, readers were looking for answers to their questions. This article explained how the virus could be spread, particularly as it applied to aquatic environments. The information in the piece came from the CDC, which continued to update the information it presented to the public.
2. 2008 Uni of Arizona Research Called For More Study Into Survival Of Coronavirus in Water
With further information being sought by the public, Swimming World ran an article that highlighted a study by the University of Arizona on how viruses can survive and be spread in water. The study from 2008 included worthwile information that pertained to the new Coronavirus.
3. Can’t Swim? Here Are 25 Things You CAN Do To Stay In The Zone & Get Fighting Fit
As COVID-19 caused the closure of pools and limited the training opportunities for all different kinds of swimmers, this article provided alternatives to stay in shape – mentally and physically. Even today, as there is a spike COVID cases, these additional options can prove beneficial.
4. Sun’s Mum Flares: Ming Yang Reveals How Chinese Swim Bosses Sought To Hide 2014 Doping Positive
In the aftermath of Sun Yang’s eight-year ban for tampering with a doping sample, the athlete’s mother went on the offensive and took swipes at a variety of individuals and groups. Included in crosshairs was the Chinese Swimming Association, which Ming Yang said tried to cover up a positive test of her son.
5. Breaking the Silence: Coping With My Last Race in Wake of COVID-19
With COVID-19 stopping collegiate seasons, some swimmers had their careers ended prematurely. It is difficult enough to walk away from the sport on one’s own terms, but to have the end out of one’s control makes the scenario even more painful. Taylor Covington penned a poignant piece that examined the end of her career.
6. Olympic Games Could Be Delayed 1-2 Years, Tokyo 2020 Board Member Believes
Before the Olympic Games in Tokyo were officially postponed a year, there was considerable speculation about the fate of the Games. Many insiders floated their own thoughts on how the Olympics would be affected, including one board member suggesting a delay of one or two years.
7. Swimming Parents: Top-10 Ways They Can Get Under a Coach’s Skin
Relationships between coaches and parents can be shaky at times, especially when parents interfere with what a coach is trying to accomplish. This article gave a look at 10 ways that parents can irritate a coach and why these specific acts were deemed inappropriate or particularly agitating.
8. Swimming vs. Running: A Breakdown
There is an age-old debate about which sport is better for fitness and conditioning. In this piece, the two sports are compared, with categories such as calories burned, muscles used and breathing examined. Truly, if an individual is taking part in either sport, they are doing themselves and their health a favor.
9. FINA Leaders Ponder A Three-Month Coronavirus Moratorium That Would Wipe Out All Olympic Test Events
In early March, before the decision to postpone the Olympic Games was made, FINA discussed implementing a three-month stoppage to any international events in response to COVID-19. That decision did not need to be made, however, as most international sports were halted for at least a temporary period.
10. Adam Peaty Olympic Defence Is On As A Dad: Girlfriend Eirianedd Munro Is Pregnant
Olympic champion and world-record holder Adam Peaty, the king of the 100 breaststroke, announced that he would defend his crown as a father. The news was welcomed by Peaty’s fans and in a statement, the Brit spoke about his eagerness to be a dad with girlfriend Eiri Munro.