In the sports world, the coronavirus is still gaining ground

Between the precautionary principle and panic, the world of sport is afraid! This Thursday, a first professional sportswoman died of the coronavirus in Iran. What push countries to take drastic measures.

First professional sportswoman to die from the virus

Elham Sheikhi, a 23-year-old Iranian futsal player, died of coronavirus on Wednesday in the city of Qom, south of Tehran. International, she had been hospitalized ten days ago. She is the first professional athlete to die due to the virus.

In the United Arab Emirates, the last two stages of the UAE Tour were canceled following the detection of two positive cases in the staff of a team. The cyclists passed the screening test on the night of Thursday to Friday, and remain confined to their hotel. Among them are Chris Froome or Alejandro Valverde.

Precautionary measures with the shovel

The Danish Formula 2 driver, Christian Lundgaard, is in quarantine in Tenerife (Spain) after the discovery of cases of coronavirus in his hotel, his team and the sector of young Renault drivers, of which he is a member, announced in a press release.

At the Stade de Reims, the attacking midfielder Mathieu Cafaro was placed under surveillance after having traveled to Venice. While in England, handshakes are prohibited in Newcastle.

New postponements

In the Youth League of football (the Youth Champions League), the matches of Lyon and Rennes were postponed to March 10. The two French clubs were to face in the Round of 16 the Italians of Atalanta Bergamo and Inter Milan.

In Switzerland, the 24th day of the championship has been postponed and the Ice Hockey League has announced that its championship matches "will be played behind closed doors following the recent measures taken by the authorities to combat the spread of the coronavirus". The Geneva Motor Show, a major sector event scheduled for March 5 to 15, was also canceled.

Finally, the Sunwolves, a Super Rugby team, will play in Australia because of the coronavirus. The Japanese relocated their match against the Canberra Brumbies in Wollongong on March 6 and the New Zealand Crusaders match in Brisbane on March 14.

What about the Olympics and the Euro?

The IOC is "totally determined" to hold the Tokyo Olympics. This is what President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach said this Friday. Earlier, another IOC member, Canadian Dick Pound, had indicated that the IOC would not consider postponing or canceling the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games until he was asked to do so by WHO. "The IOC and the Tokyo organizers will not cancel, postpone, or do anything about the Games, unless there are very serious and specific warnings or regulations from WHO or competent authorities, "he said.

In Europe, concern is also growing about the good performance of Euro 2020, which is supposed to take place in twelve cities on the continent, making it difficult for supporters to move around the continent. The players in the world of sport are however resolved to follow the recommendations of the authorities of their respective countries and of WHO.

Vietnam ready for Formula 1 debut

"The Hanoi F1 circuit was completed not only on time but also in compliance with safety standards," said Vietnamese GP boss Ngoc Chi in a statement. No reference was made to the coronavirus epidemic. Vietnamese authorities told state media last week that the inaugural Grand Prix will take place as scheduled on April 5, highlighting the expected impact on the country's economy.