Covid 19 - Serious Training Issues
Serious Training Issues Arising During COVID-19
Cork Athletics County Board wishes to express its appreciation and thanks all its clubs and individual members - the overwhelming majority - for their co-operation, patience and adherence to HSE and Athletics Ireland guidelines and advice.
We are all hoping that normal club activity and competition can resume as soon as possible. However, the actions of a minority may delay these resumptions.
Since the start of the 'lockdown', the County Board has been aware that a small minority of members have been flouting HSE and AAI guidelines and advice, and undermining the lockdown strategy.
In the past week or two, some (again, it must be stressed, a small minority) have been seen to completely ignore both guidelines and the health and welfare of others.
A number of incidents highlight the low standards that a minority have shown publicly
1. Cork Athletics County Board has received a complaint from a member of the public (Not an AAI member) that a group, including a very well known figure, were training in a very public place, while maintaining NIL Social Distance, i.e. physically, and intentionally, touching.
2. UCC Sports Dept. has formally notified Cork Athletics County Board that, early on Wednesday morning last, a group of some 20 juveniles and 4 or 5 coaches were training on UCC Farm, in spite of the Farm being closed and out of Bounds to ALL persons.
3. Last week, an athlete was asked to leave UCC Farm, by a member of Management of UCC Sports Dept. The athlete then verbally abused the UCC Management representative.
4. Well known athletes have been meeting, in public, in large groups (6+) and posting this on social media
5. An Officer of Cork County Board observed a well known club athlete (who was with another runner, and not observing social distance), on a main suburban road, stop, deeply clear their throat, and then spit a mega 'Glugger' on the footpath.
As stated earlier, Cork Athletics County Board is aware of these, and other incidents and behaviours. Currently, the Board has discussed some of the incidents occurring, but is unable to properly meet and allow these athletes to appear before the Board, and apply due process. Nevertheless, athletes behaving in a manner such as above, are advised that charges of Bringing the Sport into Disrepute may be applied by Cork Athletics County Board and/or Athletics Ireland.
Editorial
All Athletics Ireland members, particularly well known and public figures MUST be aware that, as individual representatives and ambassadors for the sport of Athletics, must behave in a manner that reflects well on the sport of athletics, especially in a public place.
Wrt UCC Farm. The Farm is 'Out of Bounds' and anyone entering the facility is Trespassing. It is disappointing to hear of a club bringing Juveniles there during the week. Athletics Ireland insurance will NOT cover cases arising during trespass, nor will any other insurance the club may have. In such cases it is most likely that the individual coaches will personally carry all liability.
Please note also that routine weed-killing is currently being done on the Farm, so the facility is Doubly Out of Bounds.
Abuse of UCC staff, whether Grounds people or Management is simply UNACCEPTABLE under ANY circumstances.
Spitting may have been common among some runners before - it is NOT acceptable now. Please stop!
Please, please abide by the spirit of the HSE guidelines.
Related Articles
Re-Starting Clubs - Covid-19 Update May 9th 2020
Covid 19 and Long Runs or Long Periods in Public
Update - Athletics Ireland Events and Covid 19 Coronavirus - March 24th
Update - Athletics Ireland Events and Covid 19 Coronavirus - March 12th
Athletics Ireland Events and Covid 19 Coronavirus - March 7th
