Irish Olympians Launch Virtual Exercise Project
April 17, 2020
Olympians, asylum seekers and refugees are virtually coming together every week to exercise thanks to an innovative project led by former Irish Olympian, Claire Lambe through the Sanctuary Runners Movement which uses running and exercise to bring together those in Ireland’s Direct Provision, an Irish program for asylum seekers. Hundreds tune in online each Saturday morning for #SanctuaryStrength exercise classes to stay in shape.
In addition to her home videos, fellow Olympic stars such as Annalise Murphy, Thomas Barr, Sanita Puspure, Natalya Coyle and Ciarán O’Lionáird are also participating in the movement by filming home workouts that are accessible to Sanctuary Runners during the week.
“The Sanctuary Runners’ now has over 2,000 members across Ireland with about a quarter coming from Direct Provision centres. Normally we’d meet up to run every week but because of the Covid-19 crisis that’s not possible – so I thought why not use technology to connect people and ensure they stay fit and healthy during this – even if they are living in the confined space of a Direct Provision centre,” said Claire Lambe.
Each Saturday morning at 11am Sanctuary Runners (both Irish and in Direct Provision) log into Zoom for a half-hour of energetic exercise hosted by Claire Lambe.
“It’s incredible, we feel connected even though we are all apart,” explained Sanctuary Runner Deborah Oniah.
Living in Direct Provision she added: “It’s very difficult for many in Direct Provision to exercise during this crisis and energy levels can drop but the #SanctuaryStrength class really lifts us, makes us stronger and lets us know there are people thinking of us and loving us.”
Graham Clifford, the founder of the Sanctuary Runners said the #SanctuaryStrength initiative enables people to show solidarity, friendship and respect to those in Direct Provision during the Covid-19 crisis.
“[#SactuaryStrength] enables people to exercise, to feel that virtual hand of friendship over their shoulder. We also have all our Irish Sanctuary Runners – people exercising together as families from their kitchens, hallways, bedrooms, back gardens and even farms. Claire, and all the other Olympians, are making a massive impact on the lives of so many people through this. This is the epitome of the Olympic Spirit.”
Sanctuary Runners is a Beyond Sport Network member for their entry into the 2019 Beyond Sport Global Awards. Learn more about this year’s Awards and start your application here.