The impact of Covid-19 on sport

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on society, leading to a rapid closure of businesses, places of work, worship, social engagement, schools and universities. Sport is often seen-along with the arts-as a trivial pursuit, categorised under 'hobbies' or things to do once the serious business is over. However, this critical commentary argues that sport and sports events play a crucial social role even under normal circumstances. To this end we analyse the impact of Covid-19 on three areas of sport: first, the nature of elite sport played 'without spectators' is discussed and what this means for the necessary 'feelgood' factor associated with watching and following it; second, we look at Covid's impact on the provision of sport for those in less well-off areas, drawing on a case study of Oldham during the pandemic. Finally, we analyse the severe economic and social impact of the pandemic on grassroots sports, including the relationship between mass and elite sport. This commentary seeks to stimulate wider interest on how Covid-19 has changed sport at elite and grassroots level and how the pandemic has led to differential outcomes for people from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. Based on the above, the commentary assesses the likely longterm consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic on sport.

Physical Sports Activities and Exercise Addiction during Lockdown in the Spanish Population

“…The pandemic has affected society as a whole, regardless of socio-economic status, and the virus affects the entire population equally, leaving physical, social and economic consequences [ 33 ]. The wider society, from the most vulnerable groups to the richest, is challenged to adapt to this so-called “new normal” [ 34 ]. The results obtained in this study provide useful data on the experience of physical-sports practice in the Spanish population during this period.…”

“…Different studies indicated that, in the endurance modalities, high levels of addiction were registered and the participants continued with the practice in spite of being injured [ 50 ], and, moreover, they persisted in spite of the negative consequences caused by not running in the best physical condition, because the reward they obtained was greater than any reward for not doing so [ 51 ]. Recent studies indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has apparently influenced an increase in the active population to be more physically active than before the pandemic, in Spain and the United Kingdom [ 34 , 52 ].…”

Covid-19 and the impact on young athletes

“…The young athlete thrives on the opportunity to train, improve their skills, and compete. Juxtaposing the physical and emotional benefits that competing in sport brings has been the enforcement of lockdowns, closing of sporting venues and schools, and minimising public gatherings by authorities to decrease the spread of SARS-CoV-2 [1] , [2] . The interruption of organised sport for the last 18 months has been challenging for the young athlete, coaches and institutions as they navigate altered routines, uncertainty regarding training and competitions, and for the most elite, their professional sporting careers.…”

Entrepreneurship and Resilience in Spanish Sports Clubs: A Cluster Analysis

“…Sporting events and competitions have been considered important sources of virus infection [ 9 ]. This was one of the reasons why, during the first months of the pandemic, sporting events and leagues were cancelled, physical activity outside the home was limited, and the sports sector in general suffered a major impact [ 10 ].…”