Ciara Mageean: 'I tried to see this period as an opportunity, a blessing in disguise'

The Opening ceremony of the 2020 Olympic Games was due to take place today in Tokyo. Then came a global pandemic and a change of focus for athletes like Ciara Mageean

Ciara Mageean Mandatory Photo: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

If all had gone to plan, I’d be doing my last hard sessions this week, putting the finishing touches on my Olympic preparations – ready to pull on that green singlet in Tokyo.

But instead I’m still in St Moritz, training at altitude in the Swiss Alps. I’ve been up here for the past two weeks, and have made sure to comply with the restrictions in place both here and at my usual training base in Manchester.