Covid-19 has turned the world upside down. The global pandemic, however, has also spawned innovation.

The sporting world has seen the introduction of bio-secure bubbles, a move that has facilitated CPL cricket here in Trinidad and Tobago, a three-test series between West Indies and hosts England, and NBA basketball in the United States. There was also the birth of a new online series, "Athlete Talks".

The brainchild of retired national athletes Jamaal James and Zwede Hewitt, 2013 men's 400 metres hurdles world champion Jehue Gordon and 2018 Commonwealth Games men's 200m gold medallist Jereem "The Dream" Richards, "Athlete Talks" was launched in May, using the Zoom platform.

"Most definitely 'Athlete Talks' has been a success thus far," Hewitt told Express, "with positive feedback generally across the board from both viewers and invited guests. However, there is still much more room for us to grow and improve as we started small, niche and scaling organically.

"Our live stream," the former quarter-miler continued, "usually captures around 300 viewers. However, each session is recorded and posted on various social media platforms, reaching a viewership average of around 8,000."

T&T athletes Machel Cedenio, Deon Lendore, Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Keston Bledman, Kyle Greaux, Andwuelle Wright, Portious Warren, Mauricia Prieto, Sparkle McKnight and Rae-Anne Serville have all appeared on "Athlete Talks". Wright's coach, retired long jumper Wendell Williams has also been a guest on the show.

Another former athlete, quadruple Olympic medallist and 1997 200m world champion Ato Boldon was the interviewee on the latest episode of "Athlete Talks". Not surprisingly, the Sprint Legend Edition, as it was dubbed, turned out to be the show's most popular episode to date.

"Ato Boldon had 10,000-plus viewers, with segmented videos achieving upwards of 20,000 views.

"Ato is a global legend from the home soil," Hewitt continued, "so it was an honour not only to have him on the show, but also to hear his back story that very few actually know about. Most folks just see the medals and disappointments, not the behind the scenes grind. It was delightful to display what's real."

Hewitt said "Athlete Talks" will continue to grow.

"Viewers can look forward to more engaging content across social media. For example, we recently started 'Track Girl Tuesday' as a method to showcase our beautiful yet strong female talent as well as to support gender equality in sport. We don't hear enough of our female athletes, who sometimes stand on podiums and accomplish just as much as the guys.

"There will also be more insightful information as part of the mission to spread knowledge in sport in various capacities--technical, general awareness, real true never told before stories. And we are working on securing a few strategic partnerships which will allow us to have some fantastic prizes and giveaways each episode."

Hewitt said the "Athlete Talks" vision is creation of a community and support system for athletes across all sports.

"A platform which younger athletes can turn to for solid guidance, mentorship and inspiration, but also a place where folks like myself can pay it forward and give back to the sport which has done so much for us."

The next episode of "Athlete Talks", featuring hurdlers Mikel Thomas and Emanuel Mayers, is scheduled for tomorrow, from 8 p.m., at www.zoom.us (ID: 878 7102 3775). Hewitt and Gordon will co-host the show.

Dr Rhonda Watkins, the 2006 IAAF World Junior Championship women's long jump gold medallist, and quartermiler Jarrin Solomon are among the T&T standouts expected to appear on "Athlete Talks" in the future.

"We even have a few international surprises in our pipeline," Hewitt declared, "like 400 legend Jeremy Wariner."