20 | Wednesday, March 25, 2020 HONG KONG EDITION | CHINA DAILY SPORTS

Hoops spring eternal SOCCER China wishing Wu speedy recovery

By SHI FUTIAN “According to Espanyol insiders, [email protected] only ‘well­protected’ doctors with full gear can now enter Wu’s home. The entire Chinese soccer com­ And Wu has been required to not munity is hoping and praying Wu leave his home.” Lei can return at the peak of his Hu also reported that Wu is powers following the striker’s being taken care of by his wife, but COVID­19 diagnosis. it is not clear if she has also been Fans, players and pundits were infected. Wu’s two children have shocked last weekend when the been moved to his parents’ Barce­ Chinese Football Association con­ lona residence as a precaution. firmed the Espanyol ace had con­ Last week it was revealed that tracted the coronavirus in Spain. six Espanyol players had tested Since then, Wu’s current and positive for COVID­19. Wu has former teammates and coaches repeatedly told fans “don’t worry” have been sending the much­loved since the news broke, however forward their best wishes. those close to him have admitted “Like I always said, Wu Lei is the that’s not an easy thing to do. hope for us,” Team China goalkeep­ “I was really concerned about er Yan Junling was quoted by Chi­ Wu’s health after I heard this,” said nese newspaper Youth Daily. renowned Chinese soccer guru Xu “He’s a role model for Chinese Genbao, who coached Wu when he players who want to play in foreign was a kid. leagues. He also plays a significant “Wu Lei told me don’t worry and A man plays basketball at a gymnasium in Shenyang, Liaoning province, on Monday as daily life begins to return to normal following the role for the national team. I believe he’s fine. I really hope he can beat successful nationwide effort to contain the novel coronavirus. XINHUA he will recover as soon as possible. this virus and return. Chinese soc­ He will return and fight with us cer is depending on him now.” again on the pitch.” Another of the striker’s former Wu has long been China’s teammates, SIPG midfielder Cai OLYMPICS brightest homegrown star, with Huikang, says Wu is made of stern his goals helping Shanghai SIPG to stuff — mentally as well as physi­ the 2018 Chinese Super League cally — and backed him to over­ title and earning him a subsequent come this setback. move to Espanyol. “It’s a true relief to hear that Last year, he became the first Wu’s fine now,” said Cai. “Through­ Business braced for big Chinese to score in La Liga and out all these years, Wu has sur­ this year found the net against the vived many challenges. This is his mighty Barcelona to boost his biggest one so far, but we all global profile further. believe he can recover and return Wu’s eye for goal and all­round to the pitch as soon as possible.” intelligence on the pitch have However, some observers have hit from Tokyo switch made him an integral part of speculated if the infection could Team China’s squad, so national­ harm Wu’s future career. Chinese team head coach Li Tie will be experts reckon the signs so far Games’ postponement presents major marketing program, especially the ble that the slowing economy amid hoping the 28­year­old can return bode well for the forward. broadcasting revenue,” added Wei, the pandemic will limit sponsors’ firing on all cylinders when World “Speaking of the sequela, if Wu challenges for Chinese sports scene who is also an honorary life presi­ investment in Tokyo 2020, instead Cup qualifying eventually Lei only displays mild symptoms dent of the Olympic Council of Asia. saving some additional budget for resumes. until he’s fully recovered, the infec­ By SUN XIAOCHEN stand as a beacon of hope to the “Broadcasting plans for the Games their Beijing 2022 marketing plans.” “Our biggest hope now is Wu tion will not do significant harm to [email protected] world during these troubled times have long been set while the sales of Staging the Tokyo Olympics in the and his family can stay safe and get his body and his professional and that the Olympic flame could TV commercials during the Games’ summer of 2021 will likely have a sig­ through this big challenge togeth­ career will not be affected,” said Sporting events and related busi­ become the light at the end of the original window have been complet­ nificant financial effect on China’s er,” said Lyu Wenjun, Wu’s former Jiang Weiping, an expert on respi­ nesses in China are braced for a tunnel in which the world finds ed as well... Everything has to be res­ National Games and the World Uni­ SIPG teammate. “SIPG and the ratory diseases at Huadong Hospi­ major commercial fallout from the itself at present. cheduled, thus causing a great versity Games — which are due to be club’s entire fan community will tal in Shanghai. postponement of the Tokyo 2020 “Therefore, it was agreed that the economic loss that cannot be staged that year in Xi’an and Cheng­ always support him.” “Whether Wu should return to Olympics due to the coronavirus Olympic flame will stay in Japan. It retrieved.” du respectively. Reporting only mild symptoms, China for treatment, it depends on pandemic. was also agreed that the Games will Tuesday’s postponement followed The upheaval will make sponsors Wu remains quarantined at home his condition. With mild symp­ In a joint statement released on keep the name Olympic and Para­ mounting pressure from national reconsider their investment, said with his family in Barcelona, toms, the best choice is to stay Tuesday evening, the International lympic Games Tokyo 2020.” Olympic federations to delay the Adam Zhang, founder of sports mar­ Spain. On Saturday, he attempted where he is and have a good rest. Olympic Committee and Tokyo The postponement had been Games. keting consultancy Key­Solution. to reassure fans he is OK in a video “Considering Wu’s physical con­ organizers confirmed the Games widely expected, with Chinese Canada and Australia had both “It will definitely have a subse­ posted on Weibo. dition, the most positive prognosis would be delayed. sports event organizers and stake­ said they wouldn’t send their ath­ quent effect on all businesses “I’m in great condition now and is that he could recover in one or The statement read: “In the holders now facing up to major letes to the Tokyo Olympics unless involved in the Games and Chinese all the symptoms have basically two weeks.” present circumstances and based on financial challenges as a result. the event was postponed, while companies are of no exception,” gone,” said Wu. Wu has joined the likes of Juven­ the information provided by the Speaking before Tuesday’s World Athletics had also called for Zhang told China Daily on Tuesday. “I have run a series of tests on tus star Paulo Dybala and Chel­ WHO (World Health Organization) announcement, Wei Jizhong, a the Games to be rescheduled. “Some of the companies’ pre­ my lungs, including a CT scan, and sea’s Callum Hudson­Odoi in today, the IOC President (Thomas former secretary­general of the Chi­ Wei believes the postponement Games investments in promotional the result turned out to be good. I testing positive, and Jiang says he Bach) and the Prime Minister of nese Olympic Committee, had will have major repercussions for and marketing campaigns are likely really want to thank you all for is not surprised to see the list of Japan have concluded that the backed the idea of staging the events in China, including the 2022 to be wasted, while the uncertainty your support and blessings. infected players growing. Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Games in 2021. Beijing Winter Olympics. going forward... will make it difficult “We still haven’t completely beat “Soccer is a very intense sport Tokyo must be rescheduled to a date “Dragging it two more years is too “Sponsors and business partners to deploy future campaigns and the virus. Keep washing your that can lower players’ immunity beyond 2020 but not later than sum­ long but staging it at a later date this of the Games will have to keep make further investments.” hands and stay indoors. I believe when they reach their physical mer 2021, to safeguard the health of year will not be safe enough, given investing extra money in their mar­ The marketing strategies for the we can win the battle against the limits,” he added. the athletes, everybody involved in the worsening virus situation,” Wei keting programs for Tokyo.... poten­ Tokyo Games of Chinese companies, coronavirus eventually. And I can’t “Also Wu would be interacting the Olympic Games and the interna­ wrote in a column published on tially forcing them to cut their such as Alibaba, Anta and Caissa wait to return to the pitch.” with lots of people on and off the tional community. qq.com on Tuesday. budgets for the next Olympics,” he Tourism Group are all subject to Sports reporter Hu Minjuan pitch, which would significantly “The leaders agreed that the “The postponement will have a said. adjustments due to the postpone­ revealed more details of Wu’s quar­ increase the chance of being Olympic Games in Tokyo could huge effect on the Tokyo Games’ “On the other hand, it’s also possi­ ment, added Zhang. antine, writing on social media: infected.”

Digest

SOCCER realized they had entered the coun­ BASKETBALL onavirus, and spent a day with the any gaps in the program.” ing to Michaels. Ronaldinho barred try with fake passports. Barkley’s virus test Los Angeles Angels in spring train­ from receiving visitors comes back negative ing before he became symptomatic. NFL BOXING ATHLETICS Brazilian Charles Bark­ Manning turns down Fighters facing big Worlds willing to move DOPING ESPN analyst offer concerns, says Hearn great Ronaldin­ ley tested nega­ WADA to continue ho will no Oregon championships tive for COVID­ NFL legend The coronavirus pandemic could longer receive The International Olympic Com­ 19 after testing ‘where possible’ Peyton Man­ force many boxers to leave the sport visits at the Par­ mittee (IOC) and Tokyo organizers showing symp­ The World Anti­Doping Agency ning turned for financial reasons, leading British aguayan jail may have been presented with a toms of the (WADA) said on Monday that it down overtures promoter Eddie Hearn said on where he is new date for the 2020 Olympic virus on March would continue to test “where possi­ to be part of Monday. being held as Ronaldinho Games after World Athletics agreed 12. Charles Barkley ble” while remaining in line with ESPN’s Monday Hearn, whose Matchroom Boxing local authorities on Monday to change the dates of its One day after protocols set out by governmental Night Football promotes world heavyweight cham­ attempt to com­ 2021 world championships in the the NBA placed and health organizations amid the broadcasting Peyton pion Anthony Joshua, told the BBC bat the coronavirus outbreak. United States. its season on hiatus as Utah Jazz coronavirus pandemic. crew, the New Manning that those fighters starting out in Ronaldinho and his brother, Rob­ “World Athletics has already been center Rudy Gobert tested positive “We will get through this situation York Post the sport or at the bottom of the lad­ erto Assis, have been imprisoned in discussion with the Oregon 21 for coronavirus, Barkley called into and everyone hopes that we can reported on der faced tough times. since March 6 for allegedly using Organizing Committee regarding the NBA on TNT show to say he was return the global anti­doping system Monday. “If this drags on to September, fake passports to enter the South the possibility the Olympic Games ill and was submitting to a swab to full power as soon as we emerge,” The publication cited sources say­ October, November, December, we’ll American country. may move to next year,” athletics’ test. Barkley, 57, was present at the WADA president Witold Banka said ing Manning wasn’t willing to com­ have fighters that have not boxed According to the Globo Esporte governing body said in a statement All­Star Game in Chicago less than a in a statement. mit to the weekly schedule this year,” said Hearn. news portal, Paraguayan officials before Tuesday’s announcement month earlier where Gobert and The coronavirus outbreak has throughout the NFL season. “The fighters at the top end are have ordered that the prison on the that Tokyo 2020 will be postponed teammate Donovan Mitchell — who decimated the global sporting calen­ Former Indianapolis and Denver going to be fine but the fighters outskirts of capital Asuncion tighten until summer 2021 at the latest. also tested positive — were also on dar, with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics quarterback Manning has declined coming through, small­hall fighters, protocols to prevent the spread of The championships in Eugene, the scene. also postponed on Tuesday, probably multiple opportunities to be a game ones starting their careers or those the virus. Oregon, are currently scheduled for “I’ve received my COVID­19 test until the summer of 2021. analyst since retiring as a player fol­ who do not have a sponsorship deal In addition to barring all visitors Aug 6­15 and would be the first ever results this morning and they are The chair of WADA’a athlete com­ lowing the 2015 season. face big concerns. except lawyers, jail staff have been to be held in the United States. negative,” Barkley said on Monday mittee, Ben Sandford, said while the Speculation was heavy that ESPN “They will have to give up the ordered to wear protective gloves “The organizing committee of in a statement released by Turner situation “goes well beyond anti­ was willing to pay Manning in the sport of boxing and get a job and and masks while all prisoners must Oregon 21 is aware of the possibility Sports. doping and sport”, the organization vicinity of the $18 million per year that’s heartbreaking for someone undergo a daily health check, the of date changes should the 2020 “I’d like to thank everyone for would continue to pursue testing to that former NFL quarterback Tony trying to live their dreams.” report said. Olympic Games be postponed to the reaching out and expressing your ensure clean sport. Romo will make after recently The British Boxing Board of Con­ Ronaldinho and Assis traveled to summer of 2021,” organizers said in concern and support. You all be safe “It is important to ensure the agreeing to a new deal at CBS. trol said on Monday it had extended Paraguay on March 4 to participate a statement before Tuesday’s post­ and please take necessary actions to integrity of the overall system is ESPN also reportedly was a ban on all events under its juris­ in a children’s charity event and pro­ ponement of the Olympics. help ensure your well­being.” maintained as much as possible,” interested in luring Al Michaels diction until the end of April. mote a new book. The pair were USA Track and Field said it sup­ Barkley was in New York, which said Sandford. over to team with Manning, but arrested later that day when police ported the discussions. has experienced an outbreak of cor­ “WADA will continue to identify NBC prevented ESPN from speak­ XINHUA — AGENCIES