Tokyo Olympics nearer but still so far away as Ireland's athletes adapt to the times

Qualifying for the Olympics was meant to be the hard part

Anna O’Flanagan: ‘Uncertainty for any athlete is extremely difficult.’ Picture: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

Anna O’Flanagan should be in Malaysia now.

Actually, Anna O’Flanagan should be in Japan right now. Malaysia was Plan B when Japan fell through due to Covid restrictions in Tokyo. Then Plan B fell foul of the pandemic’s shifting sands, grounding O’Flanagan and the Ireland hockey team again. This time at the last minute.