In the past year, the world has not only suffered a lot of economic damage due to the pandemic, it has also suffered mentally and physically. In addition to losing many of us family members and friends, directly to the coronavirus or other causes, it only made it more difficult to believe that we could aspire to a normal existence again.
The Dutch government, as well as those in other European countries, did not see the light either and continued to opt for restrictions that did not really improve the situation. Almost everything came to a standstill in society – except the elite sports world, which has been almost aggressive from the start to find solutions to stay active in the various sports.
In that fight, the government has not always come up with the best solutions, but the sports heroes became more and more motivated by the constant setbacks and the effects of Covid-19.
The world needed hope, and most news outlets didn’t offer it. The quick and efficient approach in, for example, the United Arab Emirates gave hope. The infection rates were under control faster than in most countries in the world. As a result, martial arts organization UFC was able to hold title fights in Abu Dhabi in a fully controlled environment: PCR tests were conducted three times a day and various means were taken to ensure that there was no contact with the world outside the event. The UFC showed that there are solutions to be able to play sports professionally, with an audience.
Tennis players made attempts to resume tournaments. That was not always without problems, but there was a lot to learn from the steps they took. These improved the protocols and helped the professional sports world to the much desired reopening of the doors to see and hear the supporters in the stadiums again.
Football players have paid a hefty price during this stressful period. In some countries competitions went on for a long time, in others the competition was halted for longer. Germany resumed the Bundesliga in 2020, being the first, and also played an important role in the development of the Pfizer vaccine.
It gave hope again. All top athletes deserve our respect. Their lives and that of their family members are just as important as anyone else’s, but one difference is that they had to keep traveling to play matches, while many of them became infected with corona and there was a lot of uncertainty about how the pandemic would develop. .
My respect goes out to the sports heroes who gave us hope and inspiration while putting their own health on the line. As a result, this year we have been able to enjoy the European Football Championship and the Olympic Games as well as many other major sporting events that make our lives more enjoyable.
I wish everyone a peaceful end and a loving, healthy and sporty 2022.
Clarence Seedorf is a former football player. Now he is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and guest speaker.
A version of this article also appeared in NRC Handelsblad on 31 December 2021
A version of this article also appeared in NRC in the morning of December 31, 2021
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