May 1, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is much, much bigger than any single sports season or competition. But, speaking on behalf of our owners and trainers at nearly 80 AR centers across the globe, our hearts still go out to the athletes who have had something very important taken away because of this public health crisis. A lot of work, sweat, anticipation, and emotion was invested in those lost seasons.
One of Athletic Republic’s core values is ‘We Believe in the Power of Sport.’ Sport teaches us productive life lessons, about the value of setting goals, working hard, playing fair, and working as a team to achieve a common goal. We also learn how to persevere through adversity and to develop leadership skills. Through this personal development, these qualities become part of our daily lives, embedded well after the sports season concludes. While this spring season may be ending early, we encourage you to take comfort in knowing that there will be many more seasons in your life.
I speak from experience, as I was a world ranked swimmer who committed years of training in advance of the 1980 Olympics, only to lose the opportunity to represent my country, when the U.S. chose to boycott the games. While I may have lost out on a chance to earn an Olympic medal, I did not lose the winning behaviors that I still draw every day as the CEO of Athletic Republic. Being better prepared to meet a challenge, like the one we are facing created by the Covid crisis, is a skill I refined years ago as an athlete and now apply to leading this business.
During this crisis, it is important to maintain a positive attitude and invest in your well-being. While your local center is closed, try to stay active and follow us for online and alternative training options. Your local center is following the news closely and will open its doors again when it is deemed appropriate by local authorities. Upon returning, you may notice smaller class sizes, outdoor class options, and different exercises, to allow for proper cleaning and separation between athletes. Here at Athletic Republic HQ we’ve been busy developing new standards, guidelines, communications, and programs to support the centers throughout our network so they can best support you when you’re ready to return to training.
But remember, we’re all in this together. Individuals must take responsibility not only for their own health, but for that of those around them. We ask anyone who is feeling ill, who may have come into contact with someone who is ill, or who may come into contact with an at-risk individual, to refrain from visiting a training center. In this way, we can support each other as we work to regain our strength and rebuild our communities. Because, while sport has the ability to build individual character, it also has the ability to unite us, to build bridges, and prepare us for the next challenge.
I look forward to the re-opening of our training centers and helping you make next season your best season. Stay well, and stay strong.
Charlie Graves
CEO, Athletic Republic
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