The disappointment and concern was evident in his voice.
Burnaby's Gabriel Ho-Garcia said Sunday's announcement by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) to not to send teams to the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo was the right call.
That doesn't mean it didn't hurt.
"I'd love to go and compete in another Olympics, and hopefully I will, but in the grand scheme of things this is about public health, about everyone," said Ho-Garcia in an interview with the Burnaby NOW on Monday.
"We're in bit of limbo because we're hoping (the IOC) postpones the Games, but we don't know."
A member of the 2016 Rio Olympics team, Ho-Garcia said this squad's journey had been hard-fought and fully earned. However, like a lot of things in everyday life, it understandably takes a back seat as nations face a deadly pandemic.
"It became apparent that the decision had to be made, because the Olympics is such a massive event," he said. "It would only take one person carrying the virus into the (Olympic) village, where it would spread, and people would then take it back to their home countries. It's devastating."
The Canadian team had earned its berth with a dramatic two-game series win over Ireland in North Vancouver last October.
As the team continued to prepare for the Olympics, it became apparent when they were in Chile in mid-to-late January for a test match series that the Games could be in trouble as news from China kept coming out.
“We were (in Chile) when news of the virus broke out,” said Ho-Garcia, 26. “We arrived home and while Tokyo’s close to China, it wasn’t clear that it would get to where we are now. It just started to get closer and closer, so we had to prepare ourselves (for no Games).”
He's thankful that his family and friends are safe and healthy, and is finding ways to adapt his training sessions. But it has been an adjustment.
"The past week I've been in isolation, but I've taken walks, runs to stay exercising. We've been fortunate to have access to world-class facilities as (Burnaby's) Fortius Sport and Health up until (it was closed due to the recommendations of health officials). When you're use to that and now trying on my own with a yoga mat in the living room, it's a bit of a transition," he said.
While the team was fairly well informed as to what was happening, it all hit home when professional sports suddenly went dark.
"I think that's when it really hit home for everyone. Here you have sports leagues close down. It was like, 'Wow.' That's a big part of our (entertainment) world, and it's a lot of money."
The COC and CPC have also urged the IOC, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to postpone the Games for one year.
“We offer them our full support in helping navigate all the complexities that rescheduling the Games will bring. While we recognize the inherent complexities around a postponement, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our athletes and the world community,” the Canadian organizations stated in a joint statement.
After the 2016 Games, Ho-Garcia set his sights on getting his masters degree in business management, while also pushing to maintain a spot on the national team. He played professionally in Germany with both Mulheim and Mannheimer clubs, as well as Club de Campo in Spain.
It's that rich playing experience that he's grateful for, and acknowledges a potential loss of the Olympics would be greatly disappointing. He said who he feels mostly for are the teammates and other athletes who are striving to get to their first Olympiad.
"A number of us are fortunate enough to have already had an Olympic experience," he said. "It's unbelievable, in all aspects, what's going on right now. It's hard but you can't downplay it. I really feel badly for those who've spent the past four years, who've qualifed or were still trying to qualify, and to get so close."
The funding of Olympic and national team athletes has improved a lot since the start of the last decade, and Ho-Garcia believes stronger commitment from the Canadian government has helped create a solid foundation for athletes. Not only in the area of funds which help in training and allow for full-time dedication, but also in areas such as mental health support, he said.
He faces the dire reality that most could never envision a mere month ago. The plan was to compete and represent Canada in Tokyo, then turn and use his education to begin his career. COVID-19 has caused havoc and left no one untouched. Health is paramount, he said.
"It's a weird time but I'm hoping for the best," said Ho-Garcia. "People are sick, losing their jobs. There are a lot of people who are suffering, so sports has to take a back seat."
