
Whether at elite level, club participation, or even as spectators- the effects of the Coronavirus lockdown have dramatically changed the lives of people who enjoy sport.
As a nation of sport lovers, physical activity has become a way many of us socialise with others, keep fit and healthy, and rid ourselves of stress.

For Samuel Osborne, a Junior International swimmer, participating in sport is not just a hobby, but a large part of his life.

He normally trains eight times a week , but the lockdown has meant that the City of Birmingham swimmer is losing just under 20 hours of training every seven days, and that’s affecting his fitness levels significantly.
“it will probably push me back in my training to where i was a year Ago”
– Samuel Osborne, Junior International Swimmer
Osborne’s preferred event is the 400m freestyle, the event he won gold in at the 2019 British Swimming Championships.
Winner!!! 🙌 Gold for Sam Osborne in the 400fr final at @britishswimming #summerchamps19. Great effort Sam and congrats on the win 🥇 Excellent PB from Alex Hindle for 7th in the same race. Aimee Hood 0.1 from a medal on the 200fr! 👀🔥@arenaUK_ @solosportbrands @BCUSport @MyBCU pic.twitter.com/DbdEi6ITEx
— Birmingham Swimming (@COB_Swim) July 23, 2019
He has represented Great Britain in the 2017 European Youth Olympic Festival in Gyor, Hungary, but due to the outbreak, he is uncertain of when he will next compete.
” i feel like i have a lost sense of Purpose”
-Samuel Osborne, Junior International Swimmer
Even at Club level, team sports such as Football, Cricket and Basketball are almost impossible to play at home, with the lack of equipment, space and most importantly- teammates.

Director of Basketball at Stourport Spartans Basketball Club, Matthew Coles, has been attempting to combat this problem by arranging a series of activities on Whatsapp for his players to complete during the lockdown, to keep their head in the game.
With the UK lockdown being extended, leisure centres and sports facilities will remain closed for the foreseeable future, leaving many to question when their sporting habits will return to normal.
The latest Government Information regarding Covid-19 can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus