The predictions of a year without many sports have brought into focus one possibility – that a galaxy of top athletes have lost precious time as retirement looms.
Every sportsperson will of course recognise that postponements and cancellations are a very small part of the problem as the world battles against the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, in the lives of every athlete, nothing is bigger than elite competition and for the older generation in particular, there is room for sympathy, without going overboard.
While life is on pause for many of us, the signs of aging continue apace. Nobody wants to be coaxed into premature retirement by the Coronavirus, especially when losing a crucial year at the twilight of their respective careers.
You sacrifice time, saviour your last season, test your limit and want to ultimately depart with dignity.
The fear of no sporting action means that the magical powers of some aging athletes may wane in 2021. The chance to lift a final trophy blowing like wind under a door.
Still, resting the limbs and re-energising the mind by an enforced ‘year out’ could re-inject that mental sharpness for a potential swansong campaign.
It could potentially be the case for Roger Federer. The cancellation of Wimbledon led many, initially, to believe it was the Swiss maestro’s last tilt at a Grand Slam before retiring.
Turning 40 next August, Federer isn’t getting any younger, however the lengthy break provides him with an ideal opportunity to fully rehab a knee injury without rushing back to action.
As one gets older though, the pressure will build internally as the window of opportunity closes. For Serena Williams, time is beginning to thin for her to notch a record-equalling 24th grand slam.
The American, who turns 39 in September, lost in last year’s Wimbledon decider and remains one major title short of matching Margaret Court’s record haul.
In cycling, the Tour de France has been officially postponed until August 29. With public gatherings prohibited in France at least until mid-July, the pandemic could ultimately prove impossible for the event to proceed.
If Le Tour does not go ahead, it could be the last we see of Chris Froome (35), Geraint Thomas (on the cusp of 34), Vincenzo Nibali (35) and Richie Porte (35) operating at the front of the peloton.
All class acts in their own right, unfortunately time at the top of the hill can’t last forever, especially with Egan Bernal leading the next crop of stars stamping their authority on the global stage.
Of course, the only rivals to any star athlete are competition and time. They are all motivated, experienced, train smartly and have the best people in their respective corners.
Yet there comes a time when opportunities and victory can be missed for various reasons.
In basketball, LeBron James may no longer have the opportunity to add to his three NBA titles. The LA Lakers were on a dominant run of form before the season was suspended on March 11, sitting atop the Western Conference.
While James’ statistics are showing that he is still playing at his best, he turns 37 in 2021 and his left groin injury last year shows that he is no longer the invincible figure of before.
Next season, Western Conference powerhouse Golden State Warriors will be back to their best. As a result, it will be difficult for the Lakers to enjoy the same searing form of late up until the season’s postponement.
The same goes for LaMarcus Aldridge, Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol and Goran Dragic, all of whom will be 35 and 36 respectively next year. Could any of these stars have thrown their final slam dunk already?
In athletics, the postponement of the Olympics to 2021 means that Justin Gatlin (38), Asafa Powell (37), Allyson Felix (34) and badminton star Lin Dan (36) may have their possible medal hopes shattered.
Of course, age is only a number and a break from competitive action may spur some athletes on to greater heights in 2021. With changing methods in training and recovery, older athletes can still dominate their respective sports deep into their 30s. In contrast, athletes were considered well past their peak by 30.
Hard work and a bit of luck does come into play but, at the highest level, you have to keep believing.
The prestigious competitions across every sport don’t come around too often and it will be a shame to see the likes of Tiger Woods, Federer, James, Williams and Froome not to be able to challenge for one last major accolade at the highest level.
Unfortunately, not every athlete gets to bow out on their own terms and, as the weeks pass, those new generation of rising stars are training away in the background, dreaming of their breakthrough when normality does resume.
As life takes a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, time is continuing to pass.
