The sound of silence

There’s no doubt top-level sport looks different this year, with the Cheltenham Festival running behind closed doors and the Olympics set to have no overseas spectators. Ellie Hughes investigates the effect this has on competitors

- Ellie Hughes

THE national anthem echoes around the empty arena as the Union Jack begins its lofty ascent. A British rider stands proud on the podium, brimming with relief, disbelief, and pride. But as the final chord dies down there is no rapturous applause, no whooping or hollering, no standing ovation. This is Tokyo 2021 – the pandemic-hit Olympics that rewrote sporting history.

It is still too early to say exactly how this summer’s events will pan out, but chances are Tokyo will be a very different experience to any Games that have gone before it.

Performing without crowds is something we are fast becoming accustomed to, but how does the lack of an audience affect riders and horses? Do they notice a difference? Do they really care?

“Strange’ is the only way to describe it,” says jockey David Bass. “To be honest, once I’m in the moment I’m just trying to ride as best I can and go through the motions. It’s before and after the race that the silence hits home.”

Synonymous with Cheltenham is the famous roar that signals the start of the meeting. This year’s sound came pre-recorded and was belted out over loudspeakers.

“Big race meetings are all about the spectacle and the shared experience,” continues David. “I would normally have had my family and friends supporting me at Cheltenham, so it was a very different atmosphere.”

Irish showjumper Shane Breen concurs.