Korir’s message to fellow athletes on Covid-19
Former Diamond League trophy winner Emmanuel Korir is appealing to sportspersons across the globe to be on the forefront of the fight against the deadly coronavirus disease that continues to derail the staging of sporting events.
Korir sympathises with fellow athletes but urged them to be optimistic that the pandemic will soon be a thing of the past.
The Texas-based athlete said the United States has been affected hugely by the respiratoty flu going by data released on Saturday in which over 6,110 infections and 105 deaths have been reported.
The number of coronavirus cases in the United States has exceeded 300,000 while the death toll has passed 8,100.
“We are in complete lockdown here. It is one of the most challenging times generally,” Korir told People Sport from Texas yesterday.
“Last month’s alerts were sent that all parks and recreational areas are now closed to the public and off limits.
This, besides the ban of any other form of gatherings. So it means no training for us athletes,” added the 2018 Africa Senior Championships 800m silver medallist.
The runner, with a personal best of 1:42:05, says he had targeted an Olympic medal as well as upgrading his African Championships silver to gold at the beginning of the year.
“I agree as youths we have a huge role to play if the virus is to be contained. Yes, it is a huge setback but that is the situation we have, we need to obey the laid down rules,” added the 24-year-old, who has resorted to very early morning runs where he covers 8km daily in an effort to remain fit.
Korir, a finalist in 400m during the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar remains optimistic the disease will soon be tamed.
