New Zealand paddler Jones faces lingering impact of Covid
As the Paris Olympics approach with reduced Covid-19 restrictions, New Zealand's canoe slalom pioneer Luuka Jones remains cautious about her health amidst the lasting effects of the pandemic. Despite the lighter atmosphere, the shadow of Covid continues to loom over her preparations and mindset.
The Paris Olympics will not have the same strict Covid-19 restrictions as the Tokyo and Beijing Games. However, New Zealand canoe slalom trailblazer Luuka Jones may still decide to take extra precautions for her health.
Luuka Jones, who is 35 years old, had dreams of competing in her fifth Olympics. These dreams seemed unlikely when she was diagnosed with long Covid in early 2022. She spent over a year recovering from the illness.
There were times when even simple tasks would leave Jones exhausted for an entire day, more so than competing in white-water events for medals.
In an interview with Reuters, Jones mentioned how activities like mowing the lawn or taking a walk would often leave her feeling extremely tired.
Jones finally felt completely free from the effects of Covid in October last year. This was also the month when she won a gold medal in kayak cross at the Vaires-sur-Marne venue, which will also host the Olympic canoeing events starting from July 27.
Jones' recent win has boosted her confidence, showing that she has the potential to be a strong competitor at Paris. This victory comes eight years after she made history by winning her nation's first Olympic canoeing medal, a silver in the K1 category at the Rio Games.
Jones speaks to the media at Vector Wero Whitewater Park in Auckland, New Zealand this week.
Jones speaks to the media at Vector Wero Whitewater Park in Auckland, New Zealand this week.
Phil Walter/Getty Images for NZOC
She will be the third New Zealand woman to compete at five Games, along with shot put legend Valerie Adams and former Olympic champion sailor Barbara Kendall.
"I have always admired these two amazing women athletes throughout my career. It is a privilege to be able to match them in the number of Games," she said.
Setbacks
Jones has been at every Games since her debut as a teenager at Beijing 2008 but takes nothing for granted. Long Covid provided multiple reminders of how quickly things can unravel.
Her recovery was filled with challenges. She believed she had passed the worst of it following a few months of rest at home in 2022. However, when she traveled abroad for a training session, she experienced a sudden wave of exhaustion and felt like she was almost falling off a cliff.
She spent a lot of time in a hyperbaric chamber during the New Zealand winter. Later on, she experienced a neck injury and got sick multiple times, which almost led her to give up.
India's Neeraj Chopra competes in the men's javelin throw final during the Diamond League athletics meeting at Stadion Letzigrund stadium in Zurich on August 31, 2023. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
Neeraj Chopra from India participated in the men's javelin throw final at the Diamond League athletics event held at Stadion Letzigrund stadium in Zurich on August 31, 2023. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images
Related article
Neeraj Chopra has gained unlikely stardom in India. If he wins another Olympic gold, he will be ‘treated like God’
Jones shared with his fiance that he often questioned himself whenever he returned. He would ask, "Is this really what I want to do? I don't feel great and I'm not performing at my best."
He always had a lingering uncertainty about whether he could make a comeback in his sport and if he still had the mental and physical strength to give his all.
Several well-known athletes, such as British Tour de France champion Chris Froome and American ice hockey player Jonathan Toews, have grappled with long Covid.
Jones shared that dealing with her illness involved a process of trial and error, where she sought guidance from other athletes and a local physiologist in New Zealand who specialized in the condition.
Now that she's back to being a high-performance athlete, she mentioned that experiencing long Covid actually helped her become more resilient for her last shot at an Olympic medal. However, it also left a psychological impact on her.
She shared, "I try to live my life as usual, but there's always this fear lingering at the back of my mind - 'What if I contract it again? What if it affects me severely?'"
"I think maybe you're not sure where you can catch Covid or when you might get it.
When it comes to my training, I am quite in tune with myself. I have become good at listening to my body and can tell when I am pushing myself too hard."
Editor's P/S:
Luuka Jones' journey to the Paris Olympics is a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite the challenges of long Covid, she has emerged stronger and more prepared for her fifth Olympic appearance. Her story highlights the impact of long Covid on athletes, both physically and mentally, and the importance of seeking support and guidance from experts.
While the Paris Olympics will not have the same strict Covid-19 restrictions as previous Games, Jones is wise to take extra precautions to protect her health. The lingering fear of contracting Covid again is a reminder of the uncertainty that athletes with long Covid face. However, Jones' experience has also taught her to listen to her body and push herself within her limits. She is an inspiration to anyone who has faced adversity and is determined to achieve their goals.
