Spain captain Miguel Delas has spoken to FIH about the COVID-19 global health crisis, expressing the importance of taking care of ourselves in this challenging time. Speaking shortly before the announcement regarding the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the Red Sticks defender – a European silver medallist in 2019 and competitor at three FIH World Cups and two Olympic Games – discusses the switch in focus from elite sport to staying healthy.
For completely understandable reasons, the FIH Hockey Pro League is one of numerous global sporting events being affected by the ongoing COVID-19 situation, with some of your matches being put on hold. What are your thoughts about the situation?
Miguel Delas: “It is very important to know that sport is not the most important thing. We have to take care of ourselves, with what is going on in the world. I think that everything has to be on hold and wait until the security of everybody is clear. Now sport, FIH and everything is in second place, and the most important thing is [staying] healthy, [having] healthy habits.”
What is the general mood of the team like at the moment?
Miguel Delas: “Yesterday there started to be rumours that the Olympics were going to be cancelled [postponed*]. It’s really normal [that this is being considered]. As I said before, we need to know what is going on in the world, and the Olympics, although it is a really huge event and everybody wants to be there, we need to know that it is not the moment to focus on that.”
Much preparation can be carried out as an individual. What sort of activities - working with video analysts, strength and conditioning, flexibility - have you been doing?
Miguel Delas: “Well, now it is a difficult moment because we cannot go outside and we cannot train as we normally do, so we have to focus on ourselves, working on our core stability, there are some exercises we can do at home. I make sure that we do everything that makes us better, and when we are able to come back to the pitch, we will do it as quickly as possible.”
Finally, do you have a message for the Hockey Family at this time?
Miguel Delas: “Stay safe, stay at home, and make sure that when we do come back, we will be stronger.”
*To see the IOC’s media release regarding the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, please click here. To see a statement on this subject from FIH Chief Executive Officer Thierry Weil, click here.
