Maxime Gentges (BEL): “All top athletes understand that health comes first and that there are rules to follow and priorities”

Training in lockdown and the cancellation / postponement of major events have changed the sports landscape majorly. Belgium’s Maxime Gentges talked to his Federation about the conditions he finds himself in and how he deals with it.

 

FfG: Can you tell us what the atmosphere was like at training centre when this situation arose?

Gentges: I find that the staff reacted very well. Like everyone else, we followed the news on Thursday evening and we knew that the schools were going to close but we still did not know if the centre was going to follow. During the day on Friday, we were informed that all gymnasts were to return home the same evening and that training was cancelled for the next three weeks. After that, the coaches reacted very quickly. They gathered us at the end of training and reassured us because we must not forget that there are also young people among us. They were very reassuring and knew how to use the right words. They made us aware of the situation and did not take it lightly. I also think that they had very specific recommendations from [government institution] Adeps.

They also informed us that we were three gymnasts with high-level sports status and that we could continue to train. The coaches were very responsive as they directly announced to the gymnasts that they were going to provide them with a training programme to do at home. By the weekend, all gymnasts had received a training programme for the week. They went straight to work when it was also difficult for them because they also had to organise themselves.

 

FfG: The National Security Council and the Minister of Sports have authorised that athletes with a high-level status can continue their training. How did you react to this news?

Gentges: I was obviously delighted to be able to continue training. At the time, we weren't talking about cancelling competitions at all, it would have been very stressful for me to no longer be able to train when the deadlines approached. We've been preparing for quite a while, so it would have surprised me a lot. But I totally understand, I am aware that sport is not a priority at all and that health comes first. We were therefore told that we could continue to train under certain conditions and these corresponded perfectly to our values. Once these conditions were exposed to us, it reassured us that we were not taking any risks for the rest of the population.

 

FfG: What are the conditions that need to be respected?

Gentges: You should know that we live in the same building all year round. Justin is my neighbour but Takumi is in boarding school. So, we decided that he would go to sleep at Justin's place, so we try to stay confined between us. Before each training, upon arriving at the gym, our temperature is taken. If it is too high, you are prohibited from entering the room to avoid contamination. Then, if the temperature is ok, we enter a room, one by one, where we are asked to wash our hands with very strict recommendations. We are asked to take the time to do this correctly, a good minute per person. We also have specific schedules, usually we train twice a day but currently, it's impossible. We were asked to respect these rules and we only train once a day from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

 

FfG: How do the training sessions take place?

Gentges: We try not to take too much risk during training, the hospitals are already busy enough for the moment and we do not want to take the risk of injury and landing in the emergency room. We also try not to go beyond our physical limits because it plays a role on our immunity. We are therefore in a phase where we are trying to maintain our level and minimize the impact of this difficult situation.

 

FfG: How did you react to the cancellation of the World Cup stages and the European Championships?

Gentges: Obviously, it’s very disappointing. We work hard to perform in competition so it's always frustrating to see this work being swept away. But we are aware of the situation. I was already following the situation a lot when it was happening only in China because my family has contacts there. We were fully aware of the problem and once the first cases in Europe appeared, I suspected that it was going to be a problem. I am fully aware of what is happening to us, we are talking about public health, all top athletes understand that health comes first and that there are rules to follow and priorities. We feel very fortunate to be in good health at the moment. Personally, I still have no one around me who is infected with this virus and for me that is most important. I sincerely hope that the situation will quickly improve and that the doctors will be able to overcome this virus as soon as possible.

 

FfG: How do you see the future?

Gentges: It's hard to say ... given the situation, we're really in the dark. I really think this confinement period will be extended. I do not see why in China it would have taken much longer than with us in Europe. I don't know what decisions will be made, especially with regard to the Olympic Games, but it also seems very complicated to me. Currently 50% of athletes are qualified for the Olympic Games and the next stages of selection continued in the coming months and given that all these events have been cancelled, it seems complicated to me to be able to make the Olympic Games. [Note: at the time of writing this interview, the Olympic Games have not yet been postponed. It is now confirmed: they will take place from July 23 to August 8, 2021]

There are so many athletes who cannot train while others can, I find it not very fair play and that is still one of the main values ​​of the Olympic Committee. If some have been able to train in optimal conditions while others have been deprived of training, I find it complicated to organise the Olympic Games. Afterwards, I understand that there are other constraints but we must also think that it is an event that brings together a lot of people and if there is a risk that the contamination will continue for a sporting event, I would find that a little inhuman.

 

FfG: How is your state of mind?

Gentges: It's a bit complicated to explain because I have mixed feelings. Obviously at first, I'm afraid, I'm not going to hide it. I worry about my loved ones especially but also for all those people who get up every day and go to work at the front (doctors, caregivers, supermarkets, police, ...). I am also determined and I have a feeling of rage and I want to fight, even if on my scale I feel that I cannot do much. The only thing I can do is respect the recommendations that have been made. Honestly, I think it's hard to be tougher than what we're already doing. I cut myself off from the world to avoid the spread of the virus. I hope to play my role to the best and if there are new recommendations, I will do everything to respect them as much as possible. We all have a role to play in this situation, it is in this sense that I will continue my state of mind.

 

FfG: Do you have any advice for gymnasts in confinement?

Gentges: My first advice is obviously to respect the recommendations of the National Security Council and the Government. We are talking about human lives here and I think we must all take responsibility for ourselves as much as possible. Then, we must not forget that there is life after this period of confinement, so we must try to ensure that we find an optimal situation as soon as possible. I think you have to stay up to date at school level too. It is not because we no longer go to school that we should forget this aspect. It’s really important to stay up to date in your classes and try to learn new things.

At a gymnastics level, I think it is important to stay as fit as possible because it is not easy to stop for many weeks. In addition, we will probably be excited when we come back to the gym and if we are not physically ready, we considerably increase our chances of injury. So, try to motivate yourself at home and do as much exercise as possible. I think a good thing to do is plan your days. Time slots must be introduced every day and keep in touch with the school environment. But it is also necessary to introduce sports sessions, whether cardio sessions at home or more specific exercises related to gymnastics.

I also think this is an opportunity to discover new things. If there are topics that interest you but that you haven't had time to address yet due to lack of time, now is the perfect time. It is also an opportunity to get closer to our loved ones but first to avoid going crazy together and going back to basics, to see that we are lucky in most cases and to realise that having loved ones by your side on a daily basis is already enormous.

 

Thanks for the wise words Maxime!