SPORT

MONDAY 23 MARCH 2020 Olympic organisers plan for possible delay

REUTERS – The IOC and its powerful from older athletes and require chief, Thomas Bach, say keeping sponsors on board for Tokyo 2020 organisers have the Games will go ahead as longer. Another headache is the started drafting possible alter- planned, drawing fire from Olympic village, due to be con- natives to holding the Olympics athletes who say that could verted to flats after the Games. this summer, two sources be a health risk. The summer 2021 calendar familiar with the talks said, in is already crowded while 2022 contrast to the Japanese govern- will see the soccer World Cup ment’s stance that post- and the Beijing Winter ponement is not an option. “Finally, we have Olympics. While the coronavirus out- been asked to make a Japanese sponsors are break has disrupted sports simulation in case of a nervous, company representa- events around the world, tives have said privately. Major postponement,” one of the has been steadfast in saying that sponsors include Toyota Motor the Games will go on. The top sources, an official close to Corp and Panasonic Corp. government spokesman on the organising committee “Of course companies are Wednesday said Tokyo wasn’t who is involved in drafting individually discussing what to preparing for postponement. the scenarios, has said. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic flame is placed at Miyako do,” said a representative of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe railway station, Iwate prefecture, yesterday. one of the more than 60 has staked his legacy as Japan’s sponsors. longest-serving premier on the they were not authorised to scaling back the Games or A final decision on post- decision to postpone should be “No one wants to be the Games and is hoping for a boom speak to the media. holding them without spec- ponement will have to come made quickly. first to say anything about the in tourism and consumer “We are making alternative tators, would be debated by the from the IOC but Japan’s stance Bach recently appeared to possibility of a postponement.” spending. At risk is more than plans - plan B, C, D - looking at organising committee at the end also matters. shift his tone, saying the IOC Japan Airlines Co discussed that $3bn in domestic sponsorship, different postponement time- of March, the official said. The IOC and its powerful was “considering different there was an 80% chance the an Olympic record, and some frames,” said the official, adding The second source, who is chief, Thomas Bach, say the scenarios”. Olympics would not be held as $12bn spent on preparations. the scenarios included cost esti- also close to the Tokyo 2020 Games will go ahead as Japan’s Nikkei newspaper scheduled on a recent internal “Finally, we have been mates for different delays. organising committee, con- planned, drawing fire from ath- said in a report on its website conference call, a person asked to make a simulation in Neither Tokyo 2020 organ- firmed that postponement was letes who say that could be a yesterday that the IOC will hold briefed on the call said. case of a postponement,” said isers nor the International being discussed, including health risk. a board meeting this week, as In Tokyo, there is a sense one of the sources, an official Olympic Committee (IOC) delays of one or two years. Two other insiders, both calls from sporting organisa- delay may be inevitable. close to the organising com- immediately responded to a Some organising staff were senior members of the Tokyo tions for the event to be post- Finance Minister Taro Aso has mittee who is involved in request for comment. The gov- holding out hope for a delay of 2020 organising committee, poned gathered pace. compared Tokyo 2020 to the drafting the scenarios. ernment of Japan could not be a month or 45 days, said the echoed those concerns. One of The official involved in 1940 Olympics cancelled by Both sources spoke on con- reached for comment. official involved in drafting the them, a board member of the drafting scenarios said a long World War II, and the boycott dition of anonymity because The options, which include scenarios. organising committee, said the delay could spark complaints of the 1980 Games. Le Clos faces uncertain IOC wrestles with logistics WHO SAID WHAT training future amid amid mounting pressure Olympic doubts I understand that there REUTERS – ATHENS will be huge financial REUTERS – CAPE TOWN going to be closed. We had losses for the hosts and 36 hours to get out. The International Olympic the organisers, but I Olympic swimming gold “Luckily I got tickets the Committee (IOC) faced mounting think that the Olympics medallist Chad le Clos had same night. It’s such a opposition yesterday to the should be postponed by to leave his Turkish base in whirlwind. One minute current schedule for the Tokyo a year and held in 2021. a rush after his training you’re training hard, eve- 2020 Games as athletes, teams That's my opinion: Umar schedule for the Tokyo 2020 rything’s gone great, and and federations called for a Games was thrown into then you have to leave.” Le delay because of the coronavirus Kremlev, President of disarray, and has doubts Clos admits he has doubt as pandemic. the Russian Boxing over whether the event will to whether the Olympics IOC President Thomas Bach, Federation go ahead. will go ahead as scheduled, who has insisted the Games will Le Clos had set up in but believes athletes should go ahead as planned, said any Turkey after an earlier camp keep focused for now. decision to change an Olympic Japan has invested a in had been cancelled “I urge everyone to Games was not a simple matter lot of resources into due to the coronavirus out- focus as if the Olympics is like rescheduling a soccer match the Olympics and they break, but is now at home going to happen. If it gets and would need careful planning are adamant that the in Cape Town and uncertain postponed all the hard work and information. of his immediate future you’ve done will continue to “The cannot A woman wearing a protective face mask, walks past the Olympic Games should go ahead, plans. whenever it’s held. be moved like a football game rings in front of the Japan Olympics Museum in Tokyo, in this March but that defies common “There’s no real plan “Don’t take your foot off next Saturday,” he told Ger- 13 file photo. sense and we cannot going forward. I have no the accelerator, don’t make many’s SWR broadcaster. come first,” Serbian Olympic support it because coach, no training partners. the mistake of thinking it “It is a complex undertaking Committee president Vanja Udo- human lives come I could be stuck here until might not happen, because and you can only act responsibly vicic said. first: Vanja Udovicic, the Olympics,” he told South if it takes just one percent off when you have a clear decision- His Croatian counterpart, President of the Serbian Africa’s Sunday Times you, you lose out big time.” making foundation.” He also The Olympic Games Zlatko Matesa, said it was Olympic Committee newspaper. Le Clos is South Africa’s ruled out cancelling the July cannot be moved like “impossible” to proceed with the “If they shut the gyms most decorated Olympian 24-Aug. 9 Games. Olympics under the current here, I don’t have a plan B with a gold in the 200 “A cancellation of the Games a football game next circumstances. (for a pool). It’s scary. I’ve metres butterfly in 2012 that would be the least fair solution. Saturday: IOC President “No one wants the Games Coronavirus has already spoken to some guys lit- shot him to fame, as well as A cancellation would destroy the Thomas Bach postponed but I think we are been controlled in erally stuck in their homes. three silver medals. Olympic dream of 11,000 ath- close to such a scenario as it China, where it was They can’t do training. letes of 206 Olympic com- seems to be the only option. massive, and we are “I was told Penny Ole- mittees.”mittees.” Sources told Reuters As the virus triggers more Sports has come to a halt in all ksiak, the Canadian Olympic yesterday,yesterday however, that Tokyo restrictions and claims more of Europe and no one knows confident things will champion, hasn’t swum in GamesGames organisersor had started victims around the globe, when it will resume,” Matesa come under control 20 days in Toronto.” Le Clos draftingdrafting possiblep alternatives to pressure at least to delay the said. in the next two months: said it had been a turbulent holdingholding the Olympics this event is increasing. “Sports is not an issue now Indian Olympic week, which included a mad summer.summer. and Croatia joined the as competing has become Association dash out of Turkey. “Finally,“Final we have been asked of Olympic committees and impossible. I believe it is impos- Secretary-General “On Monday the plan to makemake a simulation in case of sports bodies opposing the IOC’s sible for the Games to go ahead Rajeev Mehta was to stay six, seven weeks a postponement,”postpon a source close plans to proceed, while German as scheduled and in my opinion (in Turkey). Suddenly, the to the organisingorga committee who former world champion fencer they should and will be post- country is going into isis involvedinvolve in drafting the sce- Max Hartung, who has already poned for a few months. It won’t lockdown and nariosnarios said.sai qualified for Tokyo, said he be a dramatic delay.” We are expecting the hotels are CountriesCoun have sealed would boycott the Games. USA Track and Field, USA IOC to organise the probably bordersborders anand enforced lockdowns “Japan has invested a lot of Swimming, the Brazilian Olympics during its toto fight theth pandemic. The virus resources into the Olympics and Olympic Committee, UK Ath- scheduled dates. We hashas kkilled around 13,000 they are adamant that the Games letics and the French Swimming will go by what the peoplepe since surfacing in should go ahead, but that defies Federation have also urged the IOC decides. If the IOC ChinaC at the end of last common sense and we cannot IOC to postpone the multi-billion Chad le Clos year. support it because human lives dollar event. says the Olympics will go on, we will have to participate: Former doubles number one in Former Real President Sanz falls victim to coronavirus women's Tennis, Sania Mirza AFP – MADRID have ever seen. His family and Davor Suker, Roberto Carlos, Spanish international Sergio Real Madrid were his pas- Clarence Seedorf, Fernando Ramos, who with teammates Former Real Madrid President sions.” Three days ago, Sanz Jr., Hierro and Raul, Real won the is in quarantine after one of the Lorenzo Sanz, who was hospi- a former professional bas- Champions League in 1998 by club’s basketball players tested Now I've been social talised with coronavirus, died ketball player, said that his beating Juventus in the final. positive for the virus, hailed distancing for actually on Saturday at the age of 76, father had been admitted to a It was their seventh Sanz. a really long time, for his son announced. Madrid hospital after suffering European Cup but first in 32 “Very sad day for Real probably two weeks Sanz was in charge of the the symptoms of the corona- years. Madrid. Lorenzo Sanz con- now, and every little Spanish giants from 1995- virus which has killed more Two years later, in Paris, nected yesterday and today thing makes me crazy: 2000, overseeing two Cham- than 1,320 people in . Real claimed an eighth by with two numbers for history pions League titles. Sanz claimed a place on the beating Valencia in the final. -- 7 and 8,” tweeted Ramos in Tennis great “My father has just passed Real Madrid board in the mid- However, that same year, reference to the key Cham- Serena Williams away. He did not deserve this 1980s, when the president was Sanz was ousted as president pions League titles. ending and in this way,” Ramon Mendoza. by Florentino Perez, who “His death saddens us even Real Madrid’s President Lorenzo tweeted his son, Lorenzo Sanz He replaced Mendoza as opened a new era at the club, more in these difficult days in Sanz kisses the trophy after his team junior. President in 1995. adding five more Champions which we find ourselves. My won the Champions League in this “One of the best, bravest With Jupp Heynckes as Leagues in two decades. deep condolences to his family May 20, 1998 file photo. and hardest-working people I coach and star players such as Current club captain and and friends. Rest in peace.” 14 SPORT MONDAY 23 MARCH 2020 Fitness, focus, frustration: Life in lockdown for Europe’s footballers

AFP — MADRID isolation rules when attempting to visit his girlfriend in Serbia. Juventus midfielder Sami “Some of our foreign guys Khedira is learning to play the have missed the opportunity to piano, La Liga clubs are facing go home,” Brighton’s Murray Sharjeel Khan off on play station and said. “It’s extremely difficult for Atalanta’s Robin Gosens has them.” been revising for exams in Older players like Murray, psychology. who is 36, also feel the frus- PCB hits back Yet as thousands of foot- tration of time being wasted. ballers, from the highest levels “It’s made me more determined at Hafeez for to the lower leagues, remain on to play as long as I can,” Murray lockdown while coronavirus said. questioning spreads across Europe, all of And for those where football them are tasked with keeping has forever been a way of life, themselves fit, as well as boredom can quickly take hold. Sharjeel return entertained. “It’s so strange not being able “Everyone needs to be ready to train,” AC Milan goalkeeper IANS — LAHORE so that when the health advice Asmir Begovic said last week. says resume, we can resume “You try to do other things but The Pakistan Cricket Board straight away,” Emmanuel there’s only so much Netflix you (PCB) hit back at Mohammad Players warm up as the Vysheyshaya Liga match between Slutsk and Slavia-Mozyr Orhant, medical director of the can watch.” Hafeez after he questioned the goes ahead in Barysaw, Belarus despite most sport being cancelled around the world. French Football Federation More generally, there seems board’s decision to allow (FFF), said. to be an acceptance that no corruption-tainted batsman Nobody knows when that matter how thorough the pro- Sharjeel Khan to return to will be and with the global Betis, who sit 12th in La Liga, Thousands of footballers, which they then eat at the same grammes, players will return competitive cricket and asked death toll from coronavirus have divided their squad into from the highest levels time as their team-mates. considerably less fit and far him to instead focus on his passing 13,000 on Saturday, groups depending on physical to the lower leagues, “Of course some players are more prone to injury. game. there is little appetite yet even characteristics, with one coach better than others at handling Philippe Piat, president of “Shouldn’t we set remain on lockdown to address the question. assigned to each. this situation,” Jonathan FIFPro, which represents pro- standards of dignity & pride But within football, the Devices then send data on while coronavirus Barnett, agent of Gareth Bale fessional players worldwide, higher than any other “Extra absence of a deadline only fatigue, sleep, pain and even spreads across and Stella Group, said. said: “The doctors say 15 days Talent” to represent Pakistan,” enhances the sense of urgency. moods while players submit Europe, all of them are “Players are human beings off needs 15 days of training so Hafeez had tweeted. In theory, the season could reports to the doctors on their tasked with keeping too and at the moment they’re what will it take if there are PCB CEO Wasim Khan said restart in a matter of weeks and weight and temperature, and to themselves fit, as well as very frustrated.” three weeks off? They were that Hafeez should focus on his clubs are determined to be the fitness department entertained. Much will depend on per- clear: don’t be surprised if there game rather than question the ready. regarding targets achieved. sonal circumstances. Lockdown are injuries.” board. “Players may even need to “Players know if they don’t can either offer the chance to “The risk of injury is some- “Current players should get their summer break in now,” do their job they will be at a Inter Milan’s Belgian spend more time with family or thing we really do expect,” said not go on social media to crit- Brighton striker Glenn Murray clear disadvantage against their striker Romelu Lukaku leavesleaves ffamilyamily ffarar BetisBetis doctordoctor Alvarez.Alvarez. icise other players or talk said. team-mates when normal is unable to see his away andand unu-unu- “T“Theyhey wiwillll never reacreachh tthehe about what policies the cricket “We might finish the training resumes,” Alvarez says. mother, who has high suallsuallyy difficult to levellevel ooff a normalnormal trainingtraining board should or shouldn’t 2019/20 season and then roll In that sense, they are given risk diabetes, while Real reach.reach. ssession,ession, tthat’shat’s have,” Wasim was quoted as into 2020/21 without any break no excuses. Many players Madrid’s Luka Jovic InterInter MilMilan’san’s obobvious.vious. It’s a saying by ESPNCricinfo. at all.” already have gyms at home but BeBelgianlgian strikerstriker sstrangetrange anandd “They can have their broke self-isolation rules Asked if the players would club owners have paid thou- RomeluRomelu LuLukakukaku is compcompletelyletely opinions on various things accept that scenario, Murray sands to ensure those without when attempting to visit unableunable to see hihiss newnew situatiosituationn about world cricket and said: “We don’t have any have all the equipment they his girlfriend in Serbia. mother,mother, whowho hashas forfor cricket in general but not choice.” need. high-riskhigh-risk dia-dia- everyone.”everyone.” about the rights and wrongs of It means fitness coaches and “A football player’s stayed online for an almost an betes,betes, while players and the boards and club doctors are creating week- mechanics are precise, complex hour to catch up. RealReal Madrid’sMadrid’s they should leave that to the to-week conditioning pro- and sophisticated,” Marseille In , Lyon have told Luka JovicJovic cricket board to answer. grammes, personalised for indi- president Jacques-Henri Eyraud their players to rest until March brokebroke “I will personally speak to vidual players, explained said. 24, while in Spain, Atletico self-self- Mohammad Hafeez about that through Whatsapp and Skype, “And they require almost Madrid have done tactical work, and I don’t think it’s his place and dependent on both tech- daily maintenance.” with video meetings held to do it. No other player in the nology and trust. Yet many clubs believe between players and coaches world does that; so why should “Every one of our players there is more to it than bikes to reinforce key messages. our Pakistani players do that? has been given the guidance and treadmills. Atletico are also particularly I don’t think they have any they need from our coaches, In , Bayern Munich stringent on diets. Like most space to do that…. That’s my nutritionists and doctors,” Real held their first ‘cyber-training’ clubs, they deliver meals personal view. Betis head of medical Jose session on Wednesday, when devised by their nutritionists Romelu Lukaku “Coming from an English Manuel Alvarez said. “It is up to the players worked out through but players also choose between environment, I never saw an them to take it.” video-conference and then options for lunch and dinner, English player tweet about policies, procedures, talk about other players’ right or wrong. My view is, he should Premier League focus on his own game, focus Belgium's Fellaini is first virus on the cricketing opinion, but don’t give personal opinion eyes June about other players.” case in Chinese Super League Sharjeel, who had played return, says one Test, 25 ODIs and 15 T20Is, AFP— SHANGHAI the coronavirus, died on Saturday at the had received a five-year ban report age of 76. from the PCB in 2017 for his Footballer Marouane Fellaini (pictured) But Fellaini is the first confirmed case alleged role in Pakistan Super REUTERS — LONDON has tested positive for the coronavirus, in the CSL, dealing a blow to the league’s League corruption scandal. his club Shandong Luneng said yesterday, hopes of starting the season as early as The sentence was, however, The English Premier League is the former Manchester United player next month. suspended in August 2019 and tentatively targeting a resumption becoming the first known case in the The campaign was supposed to begin he returned to competitive on June 1 with a view to completing Chinese Super League (CSL). last month but has been indefinitely post- cricket when he was bought the season over six weeks before The 32-year-old Belgian interna- poned by the outbreak. by Karachi Kings in this year’s making an August start to the tional midfielder has a normal temper- Fellaini, also formerly of Everton, PSL auction. He opened for the 2020-21 campaign, the Sunday ature and is feeling fine, Shandong said, joined Shandong Luneng from English side this season. Telegraph reported yesterday. but “is under observation and having giants United in February last year for a The report said the sketchy treatment at a designated medical reported €7.2m. plan was a “best-case scenario” facility”. Chinese officials, concerned about a aimed at mitigating the heavy “The club will do its best... to help in second wave of virus infections from Fielding coach losses clubs are sustaining as they the treatment and recovery of the abroad, will be taking a close look at Fel- continue to pay wages while player.” laini’s recent travel history to see who gives fitness football remains shut down Fellaini, who had just returned to he had contact with. because of the coronavirus China, is the latest high-profile name in Having flown from Singapore to tips from home pandemic. football to catch the disease, along with Shanghai, he reportedly took a high- On March 13, all elite level Juventus forward Paulo Dybala, Chelsea speed train from there early on Friday for Team India soccer matches in England, winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and Arsenal to Jinan, the city home to Shandong including the Premier League, manager Mikel Arteta. Luneng. He was taken by car to a quar- were suspended until April 4 with Former Real Madrid president antine area and tested for the virus on IANS — CHENNAI that stoppage subsequently Lorenzo Sanz, who was hospitalised with Saturday, Chinese media said. extended until April 30. With gyms closed and the The postponement of the Indian cricket team players Euro 2020 championship for a cooped up inside their homes year, however, has cleared space Former Milan defender Maldini, son infected in the wake of the coronavirus in the calendar for domestic pandemic, fielding coach R competitions to finish if the AGENCIES — MILAN Mexico's Liga MX Soccer league Sridhar is giving his boys public health situation allows. Paolo Maldini, 51, a one-club announced he has tested positive for fitness tips from home. Player contracts, some of Former AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini player and current technical coronavirus. In a video shared on which end in June, could be an and his son Daniel, a current player for director at the club, is regarded League President Enrique Bonilla said Instagram by the Indian cricket issue although world governing the same club, have both contracted the as one of the best defenders in a statement that "I don't have serious team, the official handle, body FIFA has said it is looking coronavirus, the club said in a statement Italy has ever produced and symptoms." Sridhar is seen doing ab exer- into possible ‘dispensations’. yesterday. He says he'll remain in isolation and cises. “Stay indoors and stay fit. Under the plan being con- Paolo Maldini, 51, a one-club player made a joint-record 647 Serie A keep up with the situation of Mexican Our fielding coach @coach_ sidered, the Telegraph said, the and current technical director at the club, appearances. Daniel, 18, made his first-division Soccer. rsridhar giving us major fitness Premier League and FA Cup is regarded as one of the best defenders AC Milan debut this season. Mexican first-division Soccer matches goals from home,” the post competitions would be resumed Italy has ever produced and made a joint- were suspended this week until further said. with matches played behind record 647 Serie A appearances. notice to help prevent the spread of the India’s home series with closed doors. Daniel, 18, made his AC Milan debut “Paolo and Daniel are in good con- coronavirus pandemic. South Africa was postponed The 2020-21 campaign this season. dition and, having already spent more Mexican Soccer learned on Tuesday even after the Proteas touching would get underway after a short “Paolo Maldini learned that he had than two weeks at home without outside that the head of Atlético de San Luis base in India and the first of break on August 8, the report contact with a person who tested pos- contact, as required by medical and team, Alberto Marrero, also had the three ODIs being washed said, allowing the league to fulfil itive and was suffering from symptoms health protocols, will extend the quar- coronavirus. out in Dharamshala. The its commitments in the second of the virus. He was tested yesterday and antine for the time necessary for a com- Mexico has yet to declare legal bans Indian Premier League (IPL) season of three-year broadcast found positive for the coronavirus,” the plete clinical recovery,” the club on public gatherings, but has encouraged was also pushed back till April deals worth £9.2bn ($10.73bn). club said in a statement. statement added. its citizens to maintain a healthy distance 15 in the wake of the outbreak “The same goes for his son Daniel. Meanwhile, the president of in crowded places. which has gripped the world.