Sport in a Pandemic: How It Has Had to Adapt
The pandemic has created waves in various industries, and one of the most affected is the sports industry. As a sector that’s highly dependent on hordes of people coming together to spectate and participate in the spirit of sports, the lockdown and calls to social distance seemed to spell the end of sports as we once knew them.
However, the sports industry has remained resilient and has evolved to stay alive at a time where so many industries are collapsing.
Athletes training remotely
Instead of treating this as a short-term break, athletes are determined to stay in shape so they can get back in the game as soon as restrictions are lifted. The closure of non-essential establishments included gyms and sports centers, leaving many athletes with no choice but to find alternative ways to stay in shape and avoid injury. Athletes who used to rely on physical therapists and masseuses to ease the post-workout ache might have turned to home remedies like CBD cream by Nutrivive.
Reliance on financial aid
Sports are a £23 billion industry in the UK and bring in millions of jobs, and the pandemic has devastated not just the major sports clubs, but also private individuals who relied on this industry like the sports stadium staff. The government provided £300 million in loans and funding so that venues and organizers can stay afloat. Many fans of sports teams are also supporting their favorites through personal donations and buying licensed merchandise.
Athlete bubbles and remote viewing
The easing of restrictions has allowed some major sporting events to take place, such as the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The organizers have been working hard to find ways to ensure the safety of the athletes, staff, and spectators. This includes emulating the NBA 2020 Bubble, where athletes are held in isolation zones and tested regularly to minimize the chances of contracting the virus. They also opened more options for people who want to spectate remotely, which could potentially recoup losses brought by the stadiums not being allowed to operate at full capacity.
Acknowledging e-sports
Even before the pandemic, e-sports popularity was on the rise because of the large number of people interested in competitive video games. Despite this, it was still largely seen as a niche industry. However, the pandemic caused this sector to experience exponential growth due to how it remained mostly unaffected by the restrictions. Unlike traditional sports, video games can be played at home, meaning that major tournaments can proceed without a hitch. The government and universities are slowly acknowledging and investing in e-sports, encouraging the industry’s future growth and expansion in the UK.
The sports industry has experienced scandals and tragedies, but perhaps nothing even close to this scale. They will likely continue to test various strategies to ensure that patrons can still enjoy the sport without risking their health. The vaccines are slowly being rolled out and the pandemic may finally be coming to an end. Until then, fans will eagerly await the day when they can finally fill up those stadiums and cheer for their favourite teams once more.
Image: https://www.pexels.com/photo/soccer-ball-on-grass-field-during-daytime-46798/