So Wales will enter lockdown...again. And for many sports here it has re-opened the debate of who is a 'professional' athlete.

(a brief thread on the issue) /1

Professional footballers and rugby players can continue to train and compete. Fixtures involving professional sportspeople are allowed to continue (behind closed doors).

Many athletes aiming for the Olympics/Paralympics are also full-time. But most will have nowhere to train. /2

The guidance from @WelshGovernment does allow athletes who earn a living through sport to continue...but at the same time the elite programme, overseen by @sportwales, will be suspended for the 17-day period. /3

This means elite athletes - some of whom have crucial competitions coming up - could be subject to the same restrictions on exercise as the rest of us. And most sporting facilities will close. /4

This evening I spoke to @BrianDavies09 who confirmed @sportwales DID ask @WelshGovernment over the weekend whether elite athletes could be allowed to continue training in their usual way during the lockdown.

But this request obviously wasn't accepted. /5

Although he understands many athletes' frustrations, @BrianDavies09 believes they can support them enough to get through the 17 days.

His bigger concern is what happens next. He says any future lockdowns that affect Tokyo hopefuls will leave Welsh sport on 'thin ice'. /6

The @WelshGovernment are aware of this, he says, and he'll work to ensure any future short lockdowns don't have a 'catastrophic impact' on Welsh elite athletes.

The Tokyo Olympics are 277 days away. /7

There may be some 'clarifications' to come on how elite sport in Wales will be affected by the new lockdown. But I don't expect any major changes.

The interesting question now: for athletes who want to be at the Olympics/Paralympics next summer, where do they go to train? /8

If you're an elite athlete in Wales, let me know how the lockdown could affect you...

Here’s more from @BrianDavies09.

The first lockdown was tough for elite athletes. This lockdown is ‘not great’ but manageable. Any more could be ‘catastrophic’...