Rowing athlete Stevany Maysche Ibo continues to undergo a national training camp (Pelatnas) even though the Covid-19 pandemic has forced several sports events to be delayed. This Papuan-born athlete said the training took place at the Jatiluhur Reservoir, West Java. “We carry out activities as usual, but the portion of the training is reduced,” said Stevany.
According to her, there has been no change in the national training schedule even though the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Qualification, which is the main focus of the training camp, has undergone a schedule change. According to Stevany, to maintain the athlete’s condition, the coach will reduce the portion of the exercise. “Still training in the Jatiluhur lake. No running training, only the gym and water training,” she said.
Previously, the Executive Board of the Indonesian Rowing Sports Association (PB-PODSI) had stated that the national training program (Pelatnas) would continue. Training is now focused on the Jatiluhur reservoir even though the entire national and international agenda has been postponed due to COVID-19. “Pelatnas has never stopped. It has been done since January,” said PB PODSI Deputy Chairman Budiman Setiawan.
Budiman said that since it took place in the midst of a pandemic, they were still implementing health protocols so that athletes would avoid the risk of transmission. The athletes also receive direct supervision from expert doctors. Currently, there are 16 athletes participating in the National Pelatnas, each consisting of eight rowing athletes and eight canoeing athletes.
Previously at the SEA Games in the Philippines, they have managed to bring home 10 gold medals, three silver, and three bronze. This achievement exceeded the previously announced target of five gold medals. Meanwhile for the 2020 Olympics, the Indonesian rowing team hopes to bring tickets in four numbers. The four numbers, namely two in rowing numbers and two in canoeing numbers.
Spreading Moral Message Through TikTok
Since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, rower Stevani Maysche Ibo would use TikTok after training with the national team. # Rememberpesanibu #cucitangan #pakaimasker #jagajarak
The Mandarin action movie lover doesn’t just play TikTok alone. She sometimes invites her colleagues on the rowing national team to join in. Through TikTok she also conveyed moral messages to his fans, including about the weight of being an athlete.
In her message, she insinuates people who think athletes are always rolling in money and often traveling abroad. According to her, the achievements of an athlete are not obtained from relaxing and being idle. “People think that being an athlete are always nice. But honestly, it’s not always as good as they think.” said the winner of two gold medals at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines.
Stevani said that every athlete must make sacrifices if they want to excel in the world of sports. She herself must be willing to lose a lot of time with family and friends. “We must be ready to sacrifice everything,” she said.
Source: Tempo Sport & Majalah Tempo
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