COVID-19: Olympic dreams for locked-down Venezuela athletes

Athletes prepare for the Tokyo Olympics while coping with COVID-19 restrictions

Published: May 27, 2020 14:47 AP

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Stefany Hernandez zips on her bike across a vast, empty boulevard in Venezuela's capital, getting in training where she can find it. Image Credit: AP

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A 2015 world champion bike motocross racer, she's trying to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics, now delayed until next year, while coping with restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Image Credit: AP

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Hernandez, 28, has already been to two Olympics, winning bronze at Brazil in 2016. Image Credit: AP

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A two-time world champion in karate, 39-year-old Antonio Diaz-year-old delayed retirement for a crack at the Tokyo Games, which will include karate as a one-time added sport. Image Credit: AP

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Diaz had to shut down the commercial dojo he owns. He trained at the vacant dojo for awhile, but the country's gasoline shortage has led him to do more practice at home _ where he can be with his wife and child, who was born in August. Image Credit: AP

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Andres Madera, a gold medalist at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, last year, is also shooting for a spot on the karate team in Tokyo. Image Credit: AP

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"It will be the first and perhaps the last time'' karate will be on the program," said Madera, who manages to give some classes by video link over the internet. Image Credit: AP

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"We all want to be in Tokyo. It's a dream come true." Image Credit: AP

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Venezuelan karateka athlete Andres Madera, a gold medalist at the Pan American Games in Peru last year, teaches combat movements to Irish students online from his home in Caracas, Venezuela. Image Credit: AP

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