« I have always said, and will continue saying that our purpose as professional athletes is solely entertainment, maybe inspirational perhaps even role models, but one thing is clear, we are not waking up every day and saving lives, we only play bicycles and earning our bread (or for some, aspiring to) by doing so.

Maybe tho, in these days we might not be saving lives still, but we could spare some for sure.

Maybe my last stories mislead in my actual opinion on the #covid_19 outbreak, I tend to share things in a humorous way (a way that makes me laugh anyway). Quite frankly I think we should all take some good time to meditate over the word « compassion » and apply « responsibility » to it.

Often as athlete we are encouraged to put ourselves in the centre of things, making us forget in a way about the rest of the world. But sometimes we also need to see ourselves in the big scheme of things. Maybe you think: « you worked so hard all winter for these races and what difference will it make wetter to start or not? It is just a flu after all »

Truth is, it makes a hell of a lot of difference because as for any other major social concerns we all have the responsibility of our actions, and understand that our freedom stops exactly where our neighbour’s starts... Compassion guys for the ones that are at risks of suffering greatly from this virus, could be someone close to you, or not, doesn’t change the fact that everyone’s life matter just the same.

Bike races? they don’t matter.

Races are being cancelled, it’s a great shame, I’m also bummed and sad, that’s for sure. Like all, I trained hard all winter for this season, in the end, in 59+10 years, will have this made a difference?

I’m pretty sure not.

But if my decision lead to spare even one person to contract the virus, maybe it won’t change anything for me, maybe it will greatly for someone else...

I’m a citizen of this world, I have a responsibility, so I will stay home, keep training/painting/studying and wait until it makes sense to go out and smash it at races again.

And so should you. »

Gabrielle Pilote, Instagram, 13 mars

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