YOG athletes urge everyone to #StayStrong
As the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we take a look at what former Youth Olympic Games (YOG) athletes are doing to #StayStrong #StayActive and #StayHealthy.
Delfina Pignatiello
Argentine swimmer Delfina Pignatiello – who captured hearts at the YOG Buenos Aires 2018 with her emotional silver medal in the 800m – may have had to celebrate her 20th birthday while quarantined at home with her family in April, but she has still maintained her training. Delfina even shared a home workout routine to her YouTube channel to inspire her followers to stay active.
Bumblebee
YOG breaking champion b-boy Bumblebee showed his followers that they don’t need fancy gym equipment to stay fit while in quarantine, as he shared an improvised home workout that uses only regular household objects like a chair, a table and even an ironing board!
Pandelela Rinong
Malaysian diver Pandelela Rinong – a double silver medallist at the YOG Singapore 2010 – demonstrated that working out at home isn’t always as easy as it looks, as she shared a video of her skipping rope mishap on Instagram! She also highlighted the importance of maintaining mental well-being during the pandemic by sharing a post about her daily meditation practice.
Chad Le Clos
South African swimmer Chad Le Clos has become a huge role model since winning five medals at the inaugural YOG in 2010 and then going on to be crowned Olympic champion in London just two years later. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has been using his status to spread important messages about how to #StayHealthy and to urge his fellow South Africans to #StayStrong.
Kaja Juvan
Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan – the women’s singles and doubles gold medallist at the YOG Buenos Aires 2018 – has been helping her followers to #StayActive by sharing a series of home workout ideas on Instagram. The 19-year-old also demonstrated one of the difficulties of exercising at home by posting a video of her dog trying to join one of her sessions!
Linnea Ström
Swedish golfer Linnea Ström – who won mixed team gold at the YOG Nanjing 2014 – may not have been able to compete on the course due to the suspension of the LPGA Tour season, but that doesn’t mean the 23-year-old is taking it easy. She has been sharing some #StayActive inspiration with her followers on Instagram, including a yoga routine and a workout using nothing but a resistance band.