An accomplished international equestrian of Indian origin, Fouaad Mirza earned double silver medals in individual and team categories during the 2010 Asian Games. Speaking to the press on April 23, 2020, Mirza shared his personal journey through the pandemic and the strategies he used to stay optimistic. He highlighted Germany as the premier location for equestrian training, noting that he resides in Bergdorf, Ganderkesee, to ensure his horses receive the best preparation. This was set against a backdrop where Germany had seen over 100,000 infections and 5,000 fatalities, while nearly 90,000 patients had recovered.
Mirza admitted that the lockdown and the necessity of social distancing were challenging, as staying indoors can be draining, yet he managed to adapt. To keep himself in top shape, he turned to yoga and regular exercise, while emphasizing that his horses also required open-field practice to stay fit. He expressed gratitude for the strong government support he received, which helped meet both his and his animals' needs. Adhering to safety protocols was relatively simple for him since he lives right next to the stables; he maintained strict hygiene and spent his time training the horses and keeping their environment spotless to ensure their well-being.
While Germany felt the impact of the coronavirus, Mirza noted that the situation was beginning to stabilize and the economy was picking up. He expressed relief that Germany had avoided a second wave, unlike several other nations. With travel restrictions hindering many athletes, Mirza maintained that health must be the priority, suggesting that competitions should only resume around September once the crisis subsided. Regarding the postponement of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he viewed the delay as a blessing rather than a setback. This extra time was particularly crucial for his horse, Seigneur Medicott, who had suffered an injury the previous year and now had more time to fully heal. Mirza concluded by urging the public to follow government guidelines and stay home, stressing that because the virus is so contagious, collective precaution is the only way to overcome the pandemic.