Barshim under coronavirus lockdown: training at home, drawing and great food

Just like so many other athletes who were getting ready for this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo before the announcement they would be postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Mutaz Essa Barshim, Qatar’s high jump champion (winner of the gold medal at the World Championships in 2017 and 2019 and the silver medal in 2016 at the Summer Olympics in Rio) and a graduate of the Aspire Academy for Sporting Excellence is coping with the complete change of plans, meaning he has to wait another year to take part in the Games, where his dream is to win a high jump gold medal.

Barshim coping with coronavrius isolation

With much of the world on lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19, and people being ordered to stay at home unless it is strictly necessary, Barshim is at home in the capital of Qatar, Doha, where he spends his time training and doing tasks about the house, such as cooking for example.

The Qatari champion said: “I stick to the rules about staying at home and not going out, above all because Covid-19 is spreading fast around the world, so we need to follow the rules and the instructions, because when it’s about our safety, nothing else matters” and added, “we need everyone to support this in order to get through this difficult situation.”

“Of course the coronavirus has affected my training programme a lot, just as the postponement of the Olympics has, so I can’t train go on training like before. We’re facing a difficult situation we’ve never faced before and we can’t do any more than follow the rules so we can get over and life can go back to normal,” noted Barshim.

Talking of his personal quarantine, Barshim said “I spent the day at home. I start the day with prayers, then I train, and then I make the most of the time to get on with household tasks such as cleaning the kitchen, sorting out the house, playing, drawing, putting the drawings up, playing Monopoly. I normally spend a lot of time with my family and friends, so I have a lot of time to answer mails and I spend time cooking, while I’ve got the chance to do it.

1.       People have been advised to remain at home amidst the coronavirus lockdown, are you complying with the rules and what your thoughts?

Mutaz Barshim: yes I'm complying with the rules , when it comes to health and safety nothing else matters .

2.       Why should everyone pay close attention to Qatar government's advisory on staying at home at a time like this?

Mutaz Barshim: because it’s a matter that concern us all and we need everybody’s collaboration and support , we need to be united to overcome this situation.

3.       Do you think the change in daily habits due to CoronaVirus will affect the people’s behavior even after the lockdown is resolved?

Mutaz Barshim: yes I believe so, but I think it will change things for the better. The situation, as bad as it is Healthwise, it brought everyone closer together and think this will continue to be the case even after recovery. It’s like humanity has been given a new life , and the human kind will stop taking everything for granted moving forward.

4.       Describe your day in self quarantine, what is your daily routine and how are you investing this time at home in something positive?

Mutaz Barshim: nothing special really. I start my day with praying , training and using the time to do some activities at home. I clean my office, decorate the house, play games and no wi can say I have more time to answer more emails. 

5.       What is your advice to residents living in Qatar on how to maintain fitness drills at home?

Mutaz Barshim: you still can do so many things at home. Trainings and activities at home are still an easy option when staying in. Even if it’s just 1 hour a day make sure to stay active.

6.       What other activities are you engaged in at home that you would like to share with your fans?

Mutaz Barshim: Im doing a lot of painting, putting paints up the wall. And well, cooking haha 

7.       Since athletes need international competition to stay in top form, what will you do stay in good form without competition?

Mutaz Barshim: for the moment I can do nothing to replace competitions, but we are all here in the same situation. We just have to keep on training until we can compete again.

8.       Esports is becoming more popular as people observe the stay at home call to curb the covid-19 spread, what your thoughts on the popularity of esports?

Mutaz Barshim: i don't know much about e-sport, I’m not big fan of video games

9.       Share some games that you are playing, and you would recommend for the audience during this period?

Mutaz Barshim: monopoly, cards, jenga , uno . These games allow for more and better quality times with family than video games.  

10.   Is the current period affecting athletes more or other people and how?

Mutaz Barshim: the current situation is affecting everyone, but different people from diverse work fields and professions, each are suffering from the impact this virus is having on our lives.

11.   Do you think Olympic Games will be held? What if they are postponed? Would it be a good thing for you?

Mutaz Barshim: The IOC has  announced that the Summer Olympics will be postponed to summer of 2021. I just need to prepare myself and keep on training harder like all my fellow athletes are doing.  

12.   Lots of big milestones await you this year in competitions. How do you evaluate the current situation amidst all the cancellations and postponement? And what is the effect on sports globally?

Mutaz Barshim: I will do my best on the things I can change and try to stay healthy and prepared. I would prefer not to distract myself with things and situations that are out of my hand and stay focused on training.

13.   How does the current situation affect your training schedule and the preparations to be ready for your bog milestones this year?

Mutaz Barshim: I can’t do my normal trainings these days, its new situation we just do our best and hope for the best.