Great Britain’s number one table tennis player and Derbyshire’s very own Liam Pitchford spoke to Derbyshire Media Company recently to discuss what it’s been like for the sport to have been put on hiatus at such an important time of the table tennis calendar.
In line with all other sports, all table tennis events have had to be postponed or cancelled altogether within the past three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This has meant the sport’s biggest competition, the Olympic Games tournaments, has had to be delayed until next year with the possibility that it still may be cancelled altogether if a vaccine for the virus is not discovered soon.
Despite the unprecedented changes to so many events, Pitchford is not allowing frustration to take hold and is upbeat about his chances of success once the sport is able to return:
“You have to try and find the positives even though it’s a tough situation. Delaying the Olympics was definitely the right call. It needed to be made. For me, it gives me another year to reflect on what I did well at the start of this year.
"Take a look at what I still need to improve on. It gives me another year maturing as a player and as a person…some people may have said I was peaking too early.”
Pitchford was also asked whether he’d been given any indication as to when table tennis will return:
“A lot of countries have actually started back again that I know of. So, hopefully soon. The government together along with UK Sport have put together a plan for performance athletes in a controlled environment.
"So, hopefully soon we’ll be able to start practicing. I think they’ve got June 8th in mind if they can get a venue and get the right protocols in place…it would only mean two athletes and your coach in the venue at any time.”
The Commonwealth gold medallist and multiple national champion also spoke in detail about looking after his mental health during such a tough time for everybody and about his involvement with mental health charity work:
“I know what I need to do to keep on top of my mental health…for me, I’ve tried to stay as active as possible to keep my mind fresh. I go out running taking in fresh air. It doesn’t have to be a hard run, it’s just to go out and get some air…there are charities out there like Samaritans who you can have a look at online.
"It shows that people are there who want to help and that you’re not alone. I hope I can add to making people feel better about themselves.”
You can listen to the full interview with Liam Pitchford via the below link: https://soundcloud.com/derbyshire_media_company/liam-pitchford
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