Competing without fans wouldn’t make Olympic gold any less special for Bianca Walkden – who has compared the prospect to watching her beloved Liverpool win the title from home.
The 29-year-old took bronze at Rio 2016 and is hoping to occupy the top step on the podium this time around having twice become world champion in the meantime.
No decisions have been made on whether spectators will be permitted into venues in Tokyo, with an update expected around March 25.
And having been one of the millions of Reds forced to watch a 30-year wait for a top flight crown come to an end from afar, Walkden believes the circumstances will take nothing away from the ecstasy should she achieve her ultimate goal.
“It (the title) felt like the best thing ever,” said Walkden, who is working with Purplebricks to encourage the nation to get behind Team GB on their journey to Tokyo.
“I think it will be remembered even more because of the time in which it happened.
“Everyone puts it down and says ‘you couldn’t have your parade’ but we’ll never forget it – and that’s the most important thing. That didn’t take anything away from it and you can celebrate afterwards.
“It’s like the Olympics for me. A gold is still a gold, it wouldn’t be forgotten. I’d rather it be on than not at all.
“We don’t know who will be able to come out and watch but either way, we can come home and celebrate it together.
“Knowing we will have that support from back home is unbelievable.
“We saw the way the World Cup was supported (in 2018). Hopefully everyone will be allowed out to get behind us in the beer gardens and across the country to have that atmosphere again.
“And hopefully they’ll be watching me win gold!”
Walkden, who grew up in West Derby, made a victorious return to competition at the Open European Club Championships in November.
She has not competed since but with April’s European Championships pencilled in before she heads to Tokyo, Walkden is confident she will be ready to complete her gold medal collection.
“It’s not the perfect preparation but coming out and saying you’ve won the Olympics after a global pandemic would make it even more special,” she said.
“With every competition I go to, if it’s not gold I’m never happy. I always set the bar as high as I can – that will never change.
“I’ve done so well in my career and this is the last thing to tick off. Hopefully I can do that this summer.”
Bianca Walkden is working with Purplebricks to encourage the nation to get behind Team GB on their journey to Tokyo, with the same amazing home support as London 2012. Visit @PurplebricksUK. To enter the draw to receive one of 2,020 limited edition prints, visit https://page.purplebricks.co.uk/teamgb_homesupport/
