Level playing field? Olympians face training challenge ahead of Tokyo games

  • Watch Kevin Ashford's video report

Athletes have always looked for a competitive edge - through fair means or foul.

Chris Boardman famously powered to Olympic glory on a bike engineered by Norfolk-based Lotus - much to the consternation of his competitors back in Barcelona in 1992.

Since then marginal gains have been embraced by the world of sport. From aerodynamic skinsuits to the latest sports science for training.

  • Watch a video report by sarah Cooper on the work that goes into engineering a skin suit

It all could help eek out a few thousandths of a second which could mean the difference between Gold or last place.

Of course in more recent times the focus has been on those who've used chemical assistance to gain success

But now there's a new concern among those hoping to stand at the top of the podium in Tokyo this summer - access to training facilities.

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to many athletes having to 'make do and mend' with gyms at home, rather than the professional facilities they would normally prepare in.

Hannah Martin's home gym Credit: Hannah Martin

Hockey star Hannah Martin from Ipswich is one of those athletes. She's hoping to win a medal with Team GB in what will be her first Olympics. She says training during a pandemic hasn't been easy.

Norfolk swimmer Jessica Jane Applegate is a veteran of the summer games. Tokyo will be her third Paralympics.

The swimmer from Great Yarmouth has only just got back into a full-sized pool for training because of the pandemic - she's been using a loaned jacuzzi for her training.

The Paralympian has been swimming in a loaned jacuzzi

But there have been fears expressed that those differences might give some countries an unfair advantage over others and that the Games in Tokyo might not take place on a totally level playing field. Rebecca Adlington knows what it's like to prepare to compete at the highest level and she says Tokyo is full of unknowns.

The Olympic Games governing body has acknowledged preparations by athletes will have been different in different countries because of the pandemic It says

IOC statement

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