Calgary’s Morgan Rackel embracing extra prep ahead of Olympics

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — When everything hit the brakes earlier this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so did Morgan Rackel’s Olympic debut.

“I’m not going to lie, when I first found out the news Canada pulled out, I was immensely disappointed,” the 22-year-old national softball team pitcher admitted. “But, I was also super proud to be Canadian in that moment and have our country and our Olympic committee have the leadership to be the first ones to pull out and take a stance on it.

“I’m very thankful for the decisions that they made and putting our health first.”

FULL INTERVIEW: 660’s Sandra Prusina chats with Morgan Rackel of there Canadian women’s softball team 

 

The postponement of Tokyo 2020 means Rackel will have an extra year to train, something the only Calgarian and Albertan on the national team has been taking in stride.

“Our strength coach gave us a program with gyms closed, and here in Calgary, there was still snow on the ground, so I couldn’t do much, but what I could do, I did do the best of my ability,” she recalled. “I ran stairs in my house. I did pushups. I did pullups on trees — just trying to stay fit for my teammates.

“Now, luckily, the gyms are open, so I’m back in the gym, and I’m back training.”

READ MORE: Canada, Tricia Smith put world on notice with Olympic decision

The national team will be coming together again soon, with camp set for later this month.

“That will be super fun to have some sort of normal back,” Rackel said. “I’m ready to go full steam ahead.”

She’s also hoping Canadians will get behind the national team’s Gold Medal Mission — to inspire the next generation of athletes.

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