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TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 479 days to go: Tokyo resets Olympics clock AFP – TOKYO From ‘best prepared’ The Tokyo Olympics will begin on July 23 next year, organisers said to postponed: 2020 yesterday, after the coronavirus forced the historic decision to postpone the Games until 2021. Games’ rocky road The announcement comes less than a week after organisers were AFP – TOKYO forced to delay the Games under heavy pressure from athletes and Olympic officials regularly lauded Tokyo as the best sports federations as the global out- prepared host city they had seen. But no one could break worsened. have planned for the coronavirus pandemic that “The Olympics will be held from has forced an unprecedented postponement of the July 23 to August 8, 2021. The Para- 2020 Games. lympics will be held from August 24 Here, AFP Sport chronicles the path to to September 5,” Tokyo 2020 chief postponement. Yoshiro Mori told reporters at a hastily arranged news conference. A countdown clock 2013: TEARS OF JOY Only hours earlier, Mori had said shows the adjusted TV news presenters burst into tears and thou- he expected a decision from the time remaining for sands of people erupt in screams of delight as the International Olympic Committee the postponed Tokyo IOC awards the Games to Tokyo in September 2013. (IOC) during the course of the week. Olympic Games outside With emotions running high, the thoughts of But yesterday evening, he said Tokyo station, in many Japanese turn to the thousands of victims of an emergency teleconference had Tokyo, yesterday. The a devastating earthquake and tsunami in March been held with the IOC and the date postponed Tokyo 2020 2011, with the Olympics seen by some as a golden finalised. Olympics will open on opportunity to rebuild. “We agreed that the timing of the July 23, 2021, organisers event will be in summer as originally said yesterday. 2015: STADIUM SCRAPPED planned, considering the corona- Embarrassment for Abe as he is forced to tear virus... and a certain amount of time up blueprints for the proposed national stadium needed for preparations, selection when costs balloon out of control. and qualification of athletes,” he “I have decided we must go back to the drawing added. Athletics Worlds shifting to 2022 board,” a red-faced Abe says in July 2015 after public In a statement, the IOC said the anger over the $2bn price tag which would have PARIS new dates would give health author- AFP – “Everyone needs to be flexible and compromise made it the world’s most expensive stadium. ities and organisers “the maximum and to that end we are now working with the organ- time to deal with the constantly The 2021 world athletics championships in Eugene, isers of the World Athletics Championships in Oregon 2015: LOGO DROPPED changing landscape and the dis- Oregon will be shifted to 2022 to accommodate the on new dates in 2022 for our World Athletics Scandal follows in September 2015 as the logo ruption caused by the COVID-19 re-arranged Tokyo Olympics, World Athletics said Championships.” for the Games is ditched after accusations of pandemic.” yesterday. World Athletics said they were also “in discussions” plagiarism. The decision would also cause The announcement came immediately after with the Commonwealth Games Federation, the organ- Designer Olivier Debie says the design is stolen “minimum” disruption to the inter- Olympics organisers said the 2020 Tokyo Games -- isers of the Commonwealth Games that are currently from his logo for a Belgian theatre and threatens national sports calendar, the body postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic -- scheduled to be held In the English city of Birmingham court action before officials withdraw the emblem, said. will now take place on July 23-August 8, 2021. on July 27-August 7, 2022. saying it “no longer has public support”. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics were That means the world athletics championships that The athletics federation said it was also talking to due to open on July 24 this year and were scheduled to take place in Eugene on August 6-15, the organisers of the 2022 European Athletics Cham- 2018: CUTE MASCOTS run for 16 days, but the coronavirus 2021, can no longer be held on those dates. pionships, which are due to take place in Munich on After the logo disaster, there is relief at the pandemic forced the first peacetime “We support the new 2021 dates for the Tokyo 2020 August 11-21. smooth rollout of futuristic mascots for the Olympics postponement of the Games. Olympic Games announced today by the Japanese There has been no decision yet whether to postpone and Paralympics, chosen by schoolchildren. The IOC and Japan had for weeks organisers and the IOC,” World Athletics said in a this year’s European championships, slated for Paris Olympic mascot “Miraitowa” -- combining the insisted the show could go on but statement. between August 26-30. Japanese words for future and eternity -- is a blue- the rapid spread of COVID-19 “This gives our athletes the time they need to get Track and field is the traditional centrepiece of the checked, doe-eyed character with pointy ears, while prompted growing disquiet among back into training and competition. Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games. Paralympic counterpart “Someity” sports pink athletes and sporting federations. checks derived from Japan’s famous cherry The Olympics was the highest- blossoms. profile sporting casualty of the coro- the heat of the Tokyo summer that According to the latest budget, the country had bounced back from navirus that has wiped out fixtures had been their main concern before the Games were due to cost $12.6 the 2011 triple disaster of the earth- 2018: BOXING BLUES worldwide and all but halted pro- coronavirus struck. billion, shared between the organ- quake, tsunami and nuclear In an precedented move, the International fessional sport. Due to the heat, the marathon ising committee, the government of meltdown in the northeastern Fuku- Olympic Committee strips troubled governing body In a near-simultaneous has been moved to Sapporo, a city Japan and Tokyo city. shima region. AIBA of the right to run the boxing competition at announcement on Monday, World some 800 kilometres (500 miles) to However, that number is hotly The Games are now being billed the Games over various allegations. Athletics said it would now move its the north of Tokyo where the contested with a much-publicised as the expression of humanity’s There are fears the sport will not feature in the world championships, which had weather is cooler even in government audit suggesting the triumph over the coronavirus. Games, but the IOC opts to organise the boxing tour- been due to take place in Eugene, mid-summer. central government was spending “Humankind currently finds nament itself. Oregon on August 6-15 next year, to The postponement has handed several times that amount -- on itself in a dark tunnel,” IOC chief 2022. organisers the “unprecedented” task items organisers claim are only tan- Thomas Bach said in yesterday’s 2019: MARATHON MOVE There was some speculation that of rearranging an event seven years gentially related to the Olympics. statement announcing the new date. After warnings against holding the marathon Japanese organisers could take in the making, and Tokyo 2020 CEO The Japanese government had “These Olympic Games Tokyo in the middle of Tokyo’s sweltering summer, the advantage of the blank canvas to Toshiro Muto has admitted the addi- touted the Games as the “Recovery 2020 can be a light at the end of this IOC springs a surprise in October 2019 by shifting shift the Games to spring, avoiding tional costs will be “massive”. Olympics”, designed to show how tunnel.” the flagship race to Sapporo, 800 kilometres to the north -- and usually cooler in August.

2019: BUDGET BLOWOUT Organisers unveil the final version of their Wimbledon will be cancelled: Official budget in December, with the Games expected to cost $12.6bn, although Tokyo 2020 and the IOC are REUTERS – LONDON still wrangling over the cost of moving the marathon. Wimbledon organisers will An audit suggests the national government’s announce the cancellation of the part of the overall bill, which is supposed to be 150 grasscourt Grand Slam this week billion yen, is actually nearly 10 times that. Organ- due to the coronavirus pandemic, isers say auditors are counting expenses only tan- German Tennis Federation (DTB) gentially related to the running of the Games. vice-president Dirk Hordorff has told Sky Sports. 2019: RUSSIAN BAN All England Lawn Tennis Club Russia’s participation in the Games is thrown (AELTC) officials earlier said the into question in December, when anti-doping June 29-July 12 event would not be agency WADA bans the country’s athletes for four played behind closed doors and years from global events including the Olympics postponement was not without sig- over manipulated doping data. Russia vows to nificant risk and difficulty. appeal, but a hearing in March 2020 is postponed “Wimbledon has stated that as the new coronavirus spreads globally. they will have a board meeting next Wednesday and will make the final 2020: CANCELLATION ‘UNTHINKABLE’ decision there,” Hordorff told Sky By late March, the coronavirus outbreak has Sports Germany. An aerial view of the Wimbledon complex. been declared a pandemic causing more than “I am also involved in the bodies 325,000 infections and over 14,400 deaths. of the ATP and WTA. The necessary would travel. That is unthinkable.” postponing the claycourt Grand Slam WTA, which runs women’s tourna- With pressure growing for organisers to decisions have already been made The AELTC did not respond to a at Roland Garros from May until late ments, require their players to par- acknowledge the Games may be hit, Tokyo gov- there and Wimbledon will decide request for comment. September because of the ticipate at the four Grand Slams, but ernor Koike calls cancellation “unthinkable”. But to cancel tomorrow. There is no The postponement of the Tokyo pandemic. the new French Open dates are yet the IOC and Japanese officials gradually begin to doubt about it. This is necessary in Olympics opened up a two-week The French Tennis Federation to feature on the calendars of either concede a delay may now be on the cards. the current situation. window in the tennis calendar in (FFT) came under heavy fire from association. “It is completely unrealistic to July/August but it is less likely that it tennis players around the world at “The unilateral behaviour of the 2020: HISTORIC POSTPONEMENT imagine that with the travel restric- will be feasible for Wimbledon, the lack of communication as the organisers has been criticised by The IOC and Japan eventually bow to the inev- tions that we currently have an which has only two covered courts new dates clashed with several other everyone and I can simply predict itable and postpone the Olympics in a historic international tennis tournament and cannot be held past late summer. events already featuring on the that the French Open will not be decision. Less than a week later, organisers where hundreds of thousands of French Open organisers stunned calendar. relocated as it was intended,” Hor- announce the new date for the opening ceremony: people from all over the world the tennis world by unilaterally The men’s ATP Tour and the dorff said. July 23, 2021. 02 SPORT TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020

Whyte fight Qatar’s e-football star Al Meghessib ‘off’ but Hearn eyes boxing making the most of social distancing return behind THE PENINSULA — DOHA with a friend online or e-Sports closed doors athletes playing pro to train for Ahmed Al Meghessib has earned their next online tournament. AFP — LONDON his bragging rights as one of the On a positive note, families are region’s top FIFA players. At more accepting to the fact that only 19 years old, the Qatari their kids are playing for hours Dillian Whyte’s heavy- made his debut at the FIFA on their consoles while staying weight clash with Alex- Interactive World Cup. home and enjoying their time. ander Povetkin is set to The young phenom broke Q: How will Esports and become the latest victim through to the world stage home gaming influence people of coronavirus but boxing when he stormed through the positively while staying at could return behind regional finals to represent the home? closed doors in June, Rest of the World at the 2017 A: Streamers are sharing according to British pro- FIWC. videos on their social media moter Eddie Hearn. As a graduate of the Aspire platforms talking about how to “We will make an Academy, he’s mastered the enjoy these moment at home official announcement controller as well as the through gaming. Viewers are (about the Whyte fight) footwork. Bringing his talents definitely benefiting from but basically, yes (the to the pitch as a midfielder for watching their videos on show is off),” Hearn told Al Duhail Sports Club and the YouTube or watching them live Talksport radio. Qatari national team. stream as influencers have “The problem is The 21-year-old has taken more time now to stream and nobody knows, but we all bold steps forward with his upload more videos on their hope we can return to Ahmed Al Meghessib is spending career. After signing for PSG channels. This pattern will help some kind of boxing in more time in playing other Esports, Al Meghessib has in drifting the attention away June. dipped his toe into the big games beside FIFA which is his from the negative vibes that this “Whether that’s leagues, seizing every oppor- professional Esport game. virus is spreading across the behind closed doors at tunity to make his mark. people. first, or whether that’s In an interview amid gov- Q: Please share with us back with small-hall ernment’s directives for public your gaming routine during shows then we hope we to stay at home to control the about staying indoors for our staying at home in a time like A: At first, it wasn’t easy for these times and how did it can get to the bigger spread of coronavirus, the own safety and security. In fact this? me to adapt to this change in change? shows before the end of Qatari e-football star shares his I’m looking at this period as a A: I think it’s important that daily routine. As a professional A: My gaming routine at the June.” experience as he practises the positive thing that is allowing all people stick together as one football player also, I have daily moment is different than the Britain’s Whyte was social distancing. Following are me to think about new stuff to hand and listen to the govern- trainings which require me to usual as I’m spending more time due to take on Russia’s the excerpts of his interview. do such as reading books and ment’s advice and recommen- wake up early every day. Now to play other games beside FIFA Povetkin on May 2 in Q: People have been enhancing my gaming skills by dations to stay home and help it’s a bit more relaxed schedule, which is my professional Esport Manchester. advised to remain at home learning new showboating skills avoid spreading the virus. I get the chance to rest my body game. Other games I’m Britain is also home of amidst the coronavirus in FIFA. We could always use Q: Describe your day in self more with more sleep. Yet this enjoying now are First Person heavyweight champions lockdown, are you complying free time to our benefits. quarantine, what is your daily doesn’t mean we stop training, Shooters such as Call of Duty: Tyson Fury and Anthony with the rules and what are Q: Why should everyone routine and how are you never. I’m finding alternatives Modern Warfare. We play this Joshua and Fury’s recent your thoughts? pay close attention to Qatar investing this time at home? that suit the current situation, game online, get into a group of win against American A: Totally not complaining government’s advisory on such as opting for a daily run in 5 friends, we play together for Deontay Wilder has led to the neighbourhood or at any hours, joke, have fun by beating talk of an all-British close stadium to maintain my other teams, so I added that to showdown. Ahmed Al Meghessib fitness level. I also do upper my routine and its great I’m Hearn said July 25 body workout at home. Never- enjoying it daily! would be a more realistic I’m finding theless keeping enough time Q: What other activities are date for Joshua’s defence during the day and night for you engaged in at home that of his IBF, IBO and WBA alternatives that suit spending time with my family you would like to share with title belts against Bul- the current situation, and gaming. your fans? garia’s Kubrat Pulev at the such as opting for Q: Esports is becoming A: Well I’m starting to create Tottenham Hotspur more popular as people more videos as snippets from Stadium. a daily run in the observe the stay at home call the FIFA games I play. I focus He said the scheduled neighbourhood or at to curb the covid-19 spread, on sharing scoring some nice date of June 20 could fall any close stadium to what are your thoughts on the goals that are unique to be within the domestic popularity of Esports? scored and uploading them into football season if it was maintain my fitness A: Being a sportive disci- my social media platforms as resumed. level. I also do upper pline that can be practiced gaming insights to share with “I know there’s a indoors, Esports is getting more the gaming community on my bigger picture going on body workout at attention in such times since platforms. but everyone in sport home. Nevertheless people are staying home. Q: How are you looking at right now needs to be keeping enough time Numbers of viewers on live the future and what are your working on a solution,” streaming platforms are comeback plans after these said Hearn. during the day and increasing which is a good sign. tough times on all levels? “It’s going to be an night for spending Many gamers are having more A: I hope that in the near horrifically messy time for time to play and showcase their future the virus will be con- sports and businesses time with my family skills and share with others, trolled and everything goes when we do come out of and gaming: Ahmed meaning that many people will back to normal and the world the other side, because the Al Meghessib improve their gaming level. learns about this time to avoid world won’t be the same Gamers are benefiting from this any future issues happening in again.” time, whether gaming casually the same way. Never has teamwork 'Huge' task as India’s World Cup been more important hero Sharma polices virus curfew in society, says Root AFP — NEW DELHI Joginder Sharma bowled the key final over when India beat — LONDON IANS friends and are anxious about arch-rivals Pakistan in the first It was also a big what the future holds. Never Twenty20 World Cup cricket England Test captain Joe Root has teamwork been more final in 2007, but says he faces thing, winning the (pictured), in an open letter important in our society,” Root more pressure as a police World Cup for India, addressed to the British public, wrote in that letter. officer making sure people stay has stressed on the importance “Social distancing may home during the coronavirus but here we have to of team work as a society in mean that we can’t come crisis. save the nation. And their fight to defeat the coro- together in a physical sense, but The International Cricket navirus pandemic which has our strength lies in our com- Council (ICC) and others have even if I am playing swept the world off its feet. munities coming together to hailed the efforts of the a small part in this, “As England players we’ve help one another,” he added. 36-year-old as he hits the tasted some desperate days and Earlier, England women’s streets of India in his role as an then it is huge: enjoyed exhilarating highs and team captain Heather Knight officer of the law. Joginder Sharma tried to stay grounded said that she has joined UK’s “Obviously this contribution throughout. But over the last National Health Service’s (NHS) is much bigger because people few weeks I’m sure that many volunteer scheme amidst the are losing their lives,” Sharma of you, like us, have experi- outbreak of coronavirus in the told said from Hisar in Haryana teamwork to tackle the crisis. enced intense emotions as the country. where he is now a “It was the nature of my pandemic has spread. Perhaps Knight said that she will be superintendent. sport, which is a team game you have lost a loved one, fear helping in transporting medi- “It was also a big thing, and players work together to for someone who is ill or are cines and spreading awareness winning the World Cup for make things happen. So now sick yourself. Perhaps you are about the pandemic in the India, but here we have to save we have to help each other worried about families and United Kingdom. the nation. And even if I am and the biggest help will be to playing a small part in this, then stay inside our homes,” said it is huge.” Sharma. Sharma has been leading a “This is the only way to fight team trying to keep people off coronavirus. Feed the hungry, the streets during a 21-day help the poor. Say no to social lockdown ordered by the gov- gatherings, go out just for ernment to halt the spread of getting essentials, but maintain the virus. social distance.” India has now reported 29 In this file photo taken on September 23, 2007, the then Indian Sharma added that his deaths from more than 1,000 cricket team bowler Joginder Sharma (right) celebrates with team- “extreme fitness levels” and cases, but experts believe there mates during the second semi-final of the ICC World Twenty20 at fame also come in handy as an are many more. the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban. officer on the beat. Thousands of people have “People know me and rec- been arrested across the “real world hero” as it released Sharma, who played just ognise me and that helps country for flouting the curfew. a picture of the all-rounder in four one-day internationals and putting my point across. But The ICC said Sharma had India cricket colours and his four T20 matches, said he is now I am a police officer and gone from World Cup hero to khaki police uniform. using cricket’s spirit of this is my duty.” TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 SPORT 03 Messi says Barca players taking 70% pay cut AP – MADRID complained about club officials Barcelona was among the Barcelona’s Lionel after some criticized the Spanish clubs that announced Messi prepares to take In a letter critical of Barcelona players’ efforts amid a contro- last week it would reduce a penalty in this March club officials, Lionel Messi said versial coaching change and a players’ and coaches’ salaries 7, 2020 file picture. yesterday he and his team- We were looking for run of poor results. during the stoppage. mates are taking a 70% cut in a formula to help Barcelona said all members Spain has been one of the salaries because of the of its professional sports teams hardest-hit nations by the pan- shutdown caused by the coro- the club and also its and most of the basketball team demic. The country overtook navirus pandemic. workers in this very have agreed to a pay cut. It China on Monday with more Messi wrote in a social difficult moment: added the club would also be than 85,000 confirmed infec- media post that the players will contributing to the salaries of tions. It also reported 812 new also make donations so other Messi other workers. deaths, raising its overall con- club employees are not affected “In the case of the football firmed death toll to 7,340. by the upheaval. important. “Therefore, it sur- first team, the reduction will be Barcelona said Saturday it “A lot has been said about prises us that within the club over 70% of that originally delivered 30,000 masks to the Barcelona’s first team and the there were those who wanted agreed with the club,” Bar- Catalonia government to help players’ salaries during the to put us under scrutiny and celona said. “This additional fight the pandemic. The club country’s state of alarm,” Messi tried to put us under pressure contribution by the team, said it was working through its wrote in the letter. to do something that we always together with the contribution foundation “to do as much as “Before anything, we would knew we would be doing.” that the club itself shall make, possible to help with this crisis, like to make it clear that we Messi said it took a few days will guarantee 100% of the sal- both locally and have always wanted to reduce to announce the deal because aries of all non-sporting staff internationally.” our salaries as we perfectly “we were looking for a formula at the club.” “The club has put itself at understand that this is an to help the club and also its The club said it wished to the service of the health exceptional situation and we workers in this very difficult “express its gratitude to all of authorities to help to fulfill and ALWAYS were the first ones to moment.” The donations the the professional athletes for enforce all its instructions, rec- help the club when it asked. players will make are expected their implication in such an ommendations and orders to Actually, we have done that on to help cover 100% of the sal- exceptional situation that has combat contagion of the virus our own in moments when we aries of club employees. Earlier been caused by this health and alleviate its effects as much felt it was necessary or this year, Messi publicly crisis.” as possible,” it said.

Paulinho among Australia says footballers UEFA to debate options for entire rugby stranded in China test schedule AFP – SHANGHAI ravaged fixture calendar in doubt Oscar and Hulk jetted in just in time but fellow Brazilian AFP – PARIS REUTERS — MELBOURNE Paulinho reportedly heads a UEFA President Aleksander long list of foreign stars locked UEFA will hold a videocon- Ceferin during a press Rugby Australia (RA) yesterday out of China as the country ference tomorrow this week conference in this March 3, said World Rugby’s entire attempts to stop imported with its 55 member federations 2020 file picture. international schedules for coronavirus cases. as part of discussions on the 2020 and 2021 could be There are no suggestions potential rescheduling of upended by the coronavirus that former Barcelona mid- matches postponed due to the as nations scramble to cut fielder Paulinho has the deadly coronavirus crisis, European costs and shore up revenues disease, but China closed its football’s governing body during the pandemic. borders at the weekend to announced yesterday. Chief executive Raelene returning foreigners, even The meeting will see UEFA Castle said home tests against those with work and residence share an update on the progress Ireland and Fiji in July were permits. made by the two working “highly unlikely” to go ahead, Former West Ham United groups that were created two while November fixtures in striker Marko Arnautovic is weeks ago in response to the Europe could also be sacrificed also among the more than 30 crisis caused by the pandemic to complete Super Rugby and overseas players and coaches and following the decision to The Rugby Championship still abroad, reports say, postpone the European Cham- (TRC). dealing another blow to hopes pionship by a year. Super Rugby, the that the Chinese Super League “The meeting will look at sprawling competition (CSL) season could begin any developments across all UEFA involving teams from Aus- time soon. national team and club com- tralia, New Zealand, South Arnautovic’s Shanghai petitions, as well as discussing Africa, Argentina and Japan, SIPG had more luck with progress at FIFA and European However, UEFA president features three of its own The meeting will look was suspended earlier this Oscar, Hulk and new signing level on matters such as player Aleksander Ceferin told Italian members along with three from at developments month after seven rounds of Ricardo Lopes, hastily char- contracts and the transfer daily La Repubblica at the the European Club Association, across all UEFA the season. tering a small aircraft to fly system,” UEFA said in a weekend that all options were one from the European Leagues On the international side, them back from Brazil. statement. under consideration in an effort body representing nearly a national team and Australia are scheduled to play They landed in Shanghai UEFA previously stated to salvage the season, including thousand clubs in 29 countries, club competitions, New Zealand, South Africa and on Friday night along with their wish to finish the current starting again “in mid-May, in one representative from La Liga Argentina in the Rugby Cham- their families, according to season by June 30, the date June or even late June”. in Spain and one from the as well as discussing pionship (TRC) in August and local media, having departed when many players’ contracts The impact of the pandemic English Premier League. progress at FIFA September. Sao Paulo and making a brief expire. on Europe has forced UEFA to World football’s governing and European level The Wallabies were also to stop in Malta to refuel. Carrying the season on put Euro 2020 back 12 months body FIFA has also set up a travel to Ireland, France and The trio will now spend 14 beyond that date runs the risk and suspend all club competi- working group to deal with the on matters such as England at the end of their days in isolation as required of clubs losing their out-of- tions until further notice. The consequences of the pandemic, player contracts and season but Castle said in a con- by the Chinese government for contract players before Champions League and Europa including on players’ contracts the transfer system: ference call that the tour might all arriving foreigners, which matches have been com- League have both been frozen and transfers and to deal with be jettisoned if it meant should also prevent any pleted, unless a solution can at the last-16 stage. the economic impact on the UEFA keeping the domestic game potential spread of corona- be found. UEFA’s working group game. afloat. virus to the rest of the SIPG RA may instead have to squad. look at rescheduling delayed But Brazilian international games at the back end of the Paulinho, 31, and compatriot Juve shares surge after players take pay cut year to meet the needs of Anderson Talisca failed to broadcasters and sponsors. make it back to CSL cham- AFP – MILAN “Delivering Super Rugby pions Guangzhou Evergrande, and TRC might be something the Guangzhou Daily said. Shares in Italian football giants that we need to consider Shanghai Shenhua’s Juventus surged yesterday after doing,” Castle said. Colombian international Gio the club’s decision to cut their “(For) 2021, there’s a high Moreno is another stranded at players’ salaries in the midst of probability that the calendar home after many international the coronavirus pandemic. won’t look exactly like it looks air routes were suspended The Serie A champions at the moment. I think there’s because of the virus announced on Saturday that a lot of uncertainty over the outbreak. they had cut their players’ and cost of flights, how far players Marouane Fellaini, coach Maurizio Sarri’s salaries will want to travel.” Shandong Luneng’s former from March until June after all Castle was also unable to Manchester United midfielder, Italian sport was suspended. guarantee that Australia would is the only known coronavirus The club’s shares rose by be able to maintain its four case in the CSL, having 7.94 percent on the Milan Stock teams in Super Rugby -- the recently returned to China. Exchange early Monday in a Queensland Reds, New South It is unclear when China market that has taken a major Wales Waratahs, ACT will lift its restrictions on the hit from the coronavirus crisis. Brumbies and Melbourne entry of foreigners, having Juventus’ highly-paid stars Rebels. announced the “temporary” include five-time Ballon d’Or “That’s the model that measure on Thursday. It also winner Cristiano Ronaldo and we will be working to,” she slashed the number of inter- Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey, Juventus players pose for a team group photo before their Round of 16 First Leg match of the said. “But it would be crazy national flights serving the who joined from Arsenal on a Champions League against Olympique Lyonnais in this February 26, 2020 file picture. for us not to be thinking country. free transfer last year. about other scenarios that Fabio Cannavaro, the “The economic and European clubs have also The players so far have I’ll work later. The important might roll out.” Italian World Cup-winning financial effects of the under- agreed to take pay cuts, been working through their thing is to get it done.” The loss of broadcast captain and Evergrande coach, standing reached are positive including Bayern Munich and own individual training pro- On Sunday, the club said it revenue has put further is in China and posted pictures for about $100.5m for the Borussia Dortmund in grammes designed by the gave Steven Bergwijn and Son pressure on RA’s finances after of himself riding his bike at the 2019/2020 financial year,” the Germany. coaching and sports science Heung-min permission to the governing body reported weekend having completed a club had said in a statement. Meanwhile, Tottenham teams, and England midfielder return to their home a provisional A$9.4m oper- period of quarantine. Juventus, who led second- Hotspur manager Jose Harry Winks said they were still countries. ating deficit for 2019 yeserday, The CSL season was sup- placed Lazio by a point in Serie Mourinho and his coaching staff adjusting to the new routine. Son flew to South Korea for pending a final audit. posed to begin on February 22 A before the suspension on will put players through their “It’s a bit strange for all of personal reasons, while The loss was due in part to but was indefinitely postponed March 9, added that should the paces from home starting yes- us, but I’ve got my head around Bergwijn returned to the Neth- fewer home tests and lower after the coronavirus emerged season be finished later in the terday as the club holds live it,” Winks told the club’s erlands ahead of the birth of his sponsorship revenue in a in the central Chinese city of year, the players could be paid video training sessions amid the website. child. World Cup year but also Wuhan in December. extra in those months. coronavirus pandemic. “We’ve all been given a Tottenham said both for- because of a A$6.6m increase It has since developed into Over 10,000 people have Spurs’ players are in self-iso- schedule, but it’s flexible, we wards will continue their indi- in expenditure, including the a pandemic, killing or infecting died from COVID-19 in Italy, lation with Britain in lockdown can do it in our own time. vidual rehabilitation and costs of settling an unfair dis- hundreds of thousands of more than in any other nation. and the Premier League sus- “So, for instance, I might training programmes during missal legal battle with former people across the world,. Players at other big pended until at least April 30. have a lie in one day, but then their time away. Wallaby Israel Folau. 04 SPORT TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2020 Baseball: Masked South Kobe’s towel from finale Korean players in practice game broadcast online sells for $33k in auction REUTERS – SEOUL yesterday with the Seoul-based LG Twins drawing about 5,500 AGENCIES – LOS ANGELES The twanging sound of bat viewers. hitting ball pierced the eerie Many of the Giants’ players The towel that was draped over the shoulders silence of an empty baseball were wearing masks even as of Kobe Bryant during his farewell speech stadium as a Lotte Giants player they sprinted for a base after a following his final NBA game sold for over wearing a white surgical mask hit. $33,000 at an online auction, CNN reported doubled to right field during an “We want to show you how yesterday. in-house practice game much we had prepared for the The Lakers star ended his speech at Staples yesterday. season but it is too bad that the Center in Los Angeles with his trademark The game was aired live situation wouldn’t allow it,” “Mamba Out” before walking off the court. A online by the club after the Giants outfielder Son Ah-seop fan grabbed the towel, beginning a stretch in Korea Baseball Organisation said during a visit to the broad- which that souvenir has been sold multiple (KBO) postponed the start of casting booth. times. the season from March 28 to “But please take care and The winning bid for the towel on Sunday -- April 20 and cancelled all pre- be a little more patient. We along with two tickets from the game on April season games amid concerns hope to hear your chanting as 13, 2016 -- was $33,077.16. Bryant scored 60 about the coronavirus soon as possible.” points in the Lakers’ 101-96 win over the Utah outbreak. South Korea has suffered Jazz on that night. The 10 clubs in the league Asia’s biggest coronavirus pan- Jeff Woolf, President of Iconic Auctions, told are not allowed to hold practice demic outside China, though CNN that the buyer is known for having the games against each other at it has largely managed to bring largest collection of Lakers memorabilia least until the government’s growth in new infections worldwide. intensive social distancing under control after a big early “He is a devoted Lakers fan,” Woolf said. campaign ends on April 6. surge. “His long-term plan is to create a museum in But they can play intra- Soccer’s K League delayed Southern California.” Woolf noted that the same team games without audiences the start of its new season while bidder previously spent $30,000 on a yearbook and broadcast them live to fans men’s basketball and men’s and from Bryant’s middle school days. enduring an unprecedentedly women’s volleyball ended their Bryant, 41, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, lengthy off season. seasons early without playoff and seven other people perished in a helicopter Four clubs aired games games. crash on Jan. 26 in Calabasas, Calif. Bryant spent 20 seasons with the Lakers and This April 13, 2016 file photo shows Kobe won five NBA championships. He was the NBA’s Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers waving to Most Valuable Player in 2007-08, a 15-time Coyotes, Hall entertain the crowd as he is taken out of the game after All-NBA selection, 18-time All-Star and 12-time scoring 60 points against the Utah Jazz in All-Defensive team member. He twice was Los Angeles, California. INSET: Bryant with contract talks: Report named MVP of the NBA Finals and was the All- a towel on his shoulder. Star Game MVP four times. AGENCIES – PHOENIX Georgetown’s McClung The Arizona Coyotes and forward Taylor Hall are in talks about Celtics' Smart ‘corona-free’, a new contract while the NHL’s regular season remains in a pause to test NBA waters due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, general manager 10 days after positive test John Chayka told The Athletic. AP – WASHINGTON Hall, who was acquired from the New Jersey Devils on AFP – LOS ANGELES He joins France’s Gobert and December 16, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent July Mitchell and Detroit Piston’s Christian Georgetown sophomore guard Mac McClung 1. Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart, Wood with all-clears after coming announced yesterday that he is declaring for The 2018 Hart Trophy recipient recorded 27 points (10 goals, who tested positive for the new coro- down with the illness. the NBA draft but will maintain his eligibility so 17 assists) in 35 games for the Coyotes before the season was navirus 10 days ago, has been cleared Earlier this month, league com- he can return to college. halted on March 12. by American health officials, he missioner Adam Silver said NBA The 6-foot-2 McClung attracted an online “I have shared some calls with (agent) Darren (Ferris),” Chayka announced yesterday on Twitter. players should be considered “super following for his high-flying dunks while he was told The Athletic. “Corona Free as of two days ago. spreaders” of the disease. in high school in Virginia. Hall and American Hockey League forward Blake Speers were Cleared by Mass (Massachusetts) Dept Silver’s comments followed crit- He averaged 15.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and acquired from the Devils for forwards Nicholas Merkley and Nate of Health,” Smart wrote on social icism that wealthy athletes were 2.4 assists this season but missed time because Schnarr, defenseman Kevin Bahl, a conditional first-round pick media. getting tested ahead of critically ill of a right foot injury and appeared in only 21 of in the 2020 NHL Draft and a conditional third-round selection in “Thanks for everyone’s thoughts patients in American hospitals. Georgetown’s 32 games. the 2021 NHL Draft. and prayers and I’m doing the same Smart said he was tested March McClung’s last game was February 19 The 28-year-old Hall was the league in MVP for the 2017-18 for everyone that’s been effected by 14 and got the results five days later. against Providence, when he played only eight season after posting a career-high 93 points (39 goals, 54 assists) this. Stay safe and stay together- apart! He added that he had no minutes and missed all three of his field-goal while leading the Devils to their first appearance in the Stanley Much love!” symptoms and felt good enough to attempts. Cup playoffs since 2012. So far at least 14 NBA team play an NBA game if he had to. As a freshman, he averaged 13.1 points, 2.6 He had six goals and 19 assists in 30 games this season for members have tested positive for In 53 games in 2019-20 season, rebounds and two assists. New Jersey. COVID-19, including the Brooklyn Smart was averaging 4.8 assists and The Hoyas finished the year with seven con- Hall has collected 563 points (218 goals, 345 assists) in 627 Nets’ Kevin Durant and Utah Jazz’s 3.8 rebounds per game. Smart is a secutive losses and a 15-17 record under coach career games with the Oilers (2010-16), Devils (2016-19) and Rudy Gobert and Donovan first-round pick of the Celtics in the Patrick Ewing. Coyotes since being selected by Edmonton with the first overall Mitchell. 2014 NBA draft. pick of the 2010 NHL Draft. Formula One uses break from racing to join coronavirus battle

REUTERS – LONDON

If British industry succeeds in saving Anna Nordqvist of Sweden hits a tee shot lives during the coronavirus pandemic during the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio in it will be due in part to the pioneering Boca Raton, Florida in this January 22 file role played by Formula One racing photo. While most global sport has shut down teams in the country. over the coronavirus pandemic, a US third- Seven of the 10 Formula One teams An image released level women’s golf tour is playing through, have joined forces with leading aero- by University College aided by a ruling declaring Arizona courses as space and engineering companies to London (UCL) in essential businesses. ramp up production of ventilators London and received while Mercedes has also worked with yesterday, shows the medics and academics to produce an Continuous Positive Toilet paper and swim toys for alternative breathing aid. Airway Pressure Normally obsessed with improving (CPAP) breathing aid, the performance of cars that race at developed in less than prizes as US golfers play on more than 200 miles per hour, the a week by mechanical teams are now stripping back life- engineers, doctors and AFP – LOS ANGELES bunkers and players leaving flagsticks saving devices and using computer the Mercedes Formula in cups, which were partly filled with simulation to test whether more sim- 1 team in conjunction While most global sport has shut down pieces of pool noodles - children’s plified models can be mass with UCL. over the coronavirus pandemic, a US foam floating swim toys - so players produced. third-level women’s golf tour is could more easily reclaim their ball. The seven have bases in the “Mot- playing through, aided by a ruling Burnham had played one event of orsport Valley” area around Silver- help patients avoid more invasive bespoke trolleys for the ventilators. declaring Arizona courses as essential her second LPGA season in Australia stone, a one-time World War Two air- ventilation. Their involvement reflects the businesses - and where a winner’s when the campaign shut down. It’s not field that switched, along with its Having produced the first device broader role Formula One teams have prize recently included a toilet roll. set to return until May 14 with no neighbouring engineers, into racing to less than 100 hours after the first played in Britain for decades, using The Cactus Tour will stage its 12th assurance that date will hold given the host the first world championship meeting, the team has already secured their strong record for design inno- 54-hole event of the year, and third growing healthcare crisis. grand prix in 1950. regulatory approval and will now work vation to support British Olympic since major US sports league went Two weeks ago, it was two-time “F1 teams are used to operating at with other F1 teams and the manufac- teams including the world-beating silent, starting Tuesday at Sun City major winner Anna Nordqvist of pace, they move quickly, within a turer of oxygen monitors to ramp up rowing and cycling squads. Country Club in Arizona. Sweden who won a $2,000 top prize safety remit, and have the capacity and production. It has also used race simulation to There are precautions to allow for at Phoenix, beating compatriot Lisa the capability to work on both the R&D Mercedes, home to Britain’s World help Heathrow Airport improve move- safety and cut the chances of spreading Pettersson on the second playoff hole. and the assembly,” one person familiar Champion Lewis Hamilton, and other ments on the ground while the Wil- or contracting the deadly virus, with Nordqvist is an eight-time LPGA with the setup said. Formula One teams such as McLaren liams team has developed systems to players only in pairs to help follow dis- winner whose first tour title was a In one of the most eye catching and Red Bull are also part of a con- keep supermarket refrigerators cold tancing guidelines. major, the 2009 LPGA Championship, developments, engine maker Mer- sortium that has received an order for and newborn babies safe during emer- And while last week’s top prize and whose most recent win was also cedes-AMG High Performance Pow- 10,000 ventilators from the British gency transportation. was only $2,800, it brought winner a major, the 2017 Evian ertrains has worked with a team of government. Britain has long been at the fore- Sarah Burnham an even more prized Championship. mechanical engineers at University In that set up, Williams and front of Formula One through drivers treasure seldom seen on store shelves What has helped Brown continue College London and clinicians at McLaren stripped an existing unit to Hamilton, Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark these days. while the LPGA and its top develop- University College London Hospital treble check the dimensions and com- and Graham Hill. The F1 season has “They gave some toilet paper,” mental tour have shut down is a to build a machine that pushes an ponents and built models based on been suspended due to the Burnham told the Detroit News. decision by Arizona Governor Doug air-oxygen mix into the mouth and technical designs to verify they were pandemic. “He was like, ‘Here’s a little extra Ducey to classify golf courses as nose. correct, to prevent any delay to “It’s great to see Mercedes and prize for the winner’” “essential” business to remain open The device, a Continuous Positive production. other F1 teams answering the call in She described the atmosphere to while many others are closed due to Airway Pressure (CPAP), has been used McLaren is also making compo- these challenging times,” Hamilton the newspaper, such as no rakes in the coronavirus. in hospitals in Italy and China and can nents, procuring parts and designing said on Twitter. “Great job guys.”