Since World War II, there has been no event that has affected sporting events all over the world as the coronavirus pandemic. It has led to the suspension, postponement, or outright cancellation of tournaments and events, disrupting the sporting calendar across the globe. Today we take a look at all the major sporting events affected by coronavirus.
In general, every sport is affected in a way or more, but there are some that seem to have felt the impact even more. Here is a look at some.
Sporting Events Affected By Coronavirus
1. Summer Olympics
Probably the worst hit sporting event is the Summer Olympics scheduled to hold in Japan from 24 July to 9 August 2020. Like everyone else, the organizing committee in Tokyo believed there would be no need to postpone or even cancel the event, thinking the virus might soon go away.
In fact, the 2020 Summer Olympics torch relay had already started on March 12 with the Olympic flame lighting ceremony in Greece. However, countries started pulling out of the event beforehand including Australia and Canada. Forcing Japan to postpone the event to 23 July to 8 August 2021.
2. Basketball
Even before the Basketball Africa League started its inaugural season, it was delayed as a result of the pandemic. For now, no date has been provided on when the inaugural season will finally start.
Basketball leagues around the world have also been affected by COVID-19. The first basketball league to be suspended is the Chinese Basketball Association which was placed on hold since February 1, 2020.
The ASEAN Basketball League, Philippine Basketball Association, and Basketball Champions League have also joined other sporting events affected by coronavirus. The NBA joined the list after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus in March.
3. Football (Soccer)
This is probably one of the most affected sport the coronavirus. Various leagues all over the world including the English Premier League, Major League Soccer, La Liga, Seria A, and many other leagues have been forced to be suspended. More so, there is the fear that some of the seasons may soon be canceled for some of these leagues.
The European Champions League and Europa have also been suspended in the same way as the UEFA Euro 2020 which has been postponed to 2021.
It is not only men’s football that has been affected, but also women’s and lower league tournaments.
The 2020 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup which was planned for August 2020, as well as the 2020 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup initially slated for November 2020, have also been postponed.
4. Athletics
The world of athletics has also been forced to bow to the pandemic with the postponement of events such as the 2020 World Athletics Indoor Championships which has been shifted until March 2021, 2020 World Athletics Half Marathon Championships rescheduled from March until October 2020.
Others include the 2020 Boston Marathon, 2020 London Marathon, and 2020 Two Oceans Marathon which has been canceled entirely.
5. Tennis
The most prestigious and oldest tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon was also forced to cancel the 2020 edition as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It was initially set to start on June 29 before the Wimbledon organizers announced they were canceling the tournament due to the coronavirus pandemic.
More so, the 2020 French Open which was scheduled for May to June has been shifted to September to October 2020. We wait to see if that will hold as scheduled.
6. Football
Among the sporting events affected by coronavirus is the National Football League, although it is still in its off-season. Maybe it is because of this that there is still yet to be any official word from the NFL. However, ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, traveling has been suspended by different teams for coaches and player scouts and the league has also prohibited traveling of eligible players to meet team personnel and the other way round.
The Canadian Football League has also postponed the Global Draft indefinitely.
See Also: La Liga Players Who Have Tested Positive For Coronavirus
7. Rugby
For the first time in the history of The Australian/New Zealand National Rugby League, it suspended with the fears that it might be canceled by September 1 if the season fails to restart. Before it was suspended, the league was allowed to play in empty stadia.
Other rugby events such as the 2020 Six Nations Championship and Pro14 European rugby competition have also been suspended as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
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