Recapitulations and reflective pieces in the media are always popular fodder for holidaying readers this time of year. So too are the looking-forward features once we tick into New Year.

Neither seemed quite fitting for grassroots sports' widespread suspension and the lingering uncertainty for how upcoming play, events and seasons might unfold.

McSweyn's determination and clear intention offer hope.

The former Ballarat Clarendon College student, and proud Tasmanian, clocked the world's fastest recorded mile for 2020 on Tuesday with a time of three minutes, 50.61 seconds. He did so in a small Tasmanian town Penguin in the state's north-west, setting what is now also the fastest mile run on Australian soil.

All things had shaping up to make 2020 a big year for McSweyn in what was to be an Olympic year.

Twelve months ago, McSweyn became the first man in more than two decades to win a Zatopek:10 title hat-trick - the last man to do so was Ballarat's Steve Moneghetti in 1989. In capturing the Australian 10,000-metre title, McSweyn broke the national record with a run of 27:23.80.

As a side note, Moneghetti went on to win a fourth-consecutive Zatopek:10 title, an option still open to McSweyn should he run in the event, which has been postponed to Australia Day.

McSweyn's 10,000m win added to 5000m and 1500m qualifications for Tokyo 2020.

Then Tokyo was cancelled.

How elite athletes across the world would emerge from lockdowns and cancelled play has loomed as a big question the past year. Pandemic restrictions forced athletes to innovate in home-based training for long periods.

MORE PRESS BOX:

There has been a return of sorts in international sporting competition. In athletics, when plenty of athletes chose to stay home, McSweyn was in stellar form - and not because the fields were arguably somewhat less intense.

This was when McSweyn had timed his chance to peak for Tokyo. He went out and captured national records in the 1500m and 3000m in the IAAF Diamond League.

We still might not know how many elite athletes will emerge from lockdowns and suspended competition next year. But McSweyn has made his statement.

His Penguin run, paced for the first two laps, finished on his own. He said the season was early, so he was unsure what shape he would be in.

Match fitness is a vital factor in sport and this can only set McSweyn in good stead for his Olympic debut.

Experience can be crucial too. In his Olympic debut in Beijing, Jared Tallent became the first Australian male to win two athletics medal in the same Games for 102 years. The London 2012 gold medallist has only one chance to qualify for his fourth and final Olympics in the 50-kilometre race walk - that is at nationals in March.

People love a sporting fairy tale but Olympic dreams come down to sheer hard work and timing.

Want to look forward? Here are two important journeys to unfold.

If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.