by Hayley Mooney
Female welsh athletes have been harassed while training during the coronavirus pandemic.
Due to the local lockdown measures athletic tracks have been closed to the public. Therefore, athletes that aren’t classified as elite athletes by Sport Wales and part of the Commonwealth Games programme cannot travel to or train at designated facilities.
Athletes who represent Wales at a high level have been left to train at home or in public facilities such as, parks or fields.
Welsh 100m sprinter Hannah Brier said, “I’m not allowed on the track for safety reasons, but I don’t feel safe training outdoors.”
One incident in the summer left Hannah feelings so scared and intimidated whilst training, that she was forced to contact her father to pick her up to take her home. Because of this incident Hannah now tries her very best to not get noticed.
“I tend to find myself looking through my wardrobe to pick outfits that aren’t flashy or revealing just so I don’t get noticed”.
Similarly, Welsh 400m hurdler Lauren Williams also states she “feels unsafe recently”. Also, Lauren has also had comments on her choice of attire having comments hurled at her suggesting her clothes are “too tight” or “too revealing”.
Last week the Welsh government eased lockdown restrictions to allow an individual to meet just one other person from a separate household to train and exercise in their local area.
First Minister Mark Drakeford made the decision based off of women feeling unsafe when exercising outdoors.
Welsh Athletics chief executive James Williams stated the body’s values promotes “respect, togetherness and fun”. He also said that everyone should be able “to enjoy the sport in a safe and inclusive way.”
Welsh Athletics have no teamed up with South Wales police to tackle intimidating behaviour towards female athletes when training in public places.