Infected athletes, no autograph sessions, interviews from a safe distance: the corona virus has a wide range of effects on sport - an end is not yet in sight.
Frankfurt / Main (dpa) - The novel corona virus continues to have an impact on international sporting events and causes failures, postponements and curiosities.
Events in and around Italy are currently particularly affected, which is why the organizers have taken special measures and had to change their schedule. The most prominent example is the postponement of five Serie A games to May 13, including the top match between champions Juventus and Inter Milan.
The game was originally supposed to take place on March 1st. For this reason, the final must also be rescheduled in the Italian Cup. Instead of scheduled on May 13th, the final will now take place a week later on May 20th, the league said.
The lung disease Covid-19 causes impairments not only in football, but also in other sports. International basketball games in the Italian region of Lombardy will take place behind closed doors next week. The Euroleague game Olimpia Milan against Real Madrid and the EuroCup match between Brescia and Venice are affected. Also in the World Cup finals for Alpine skiing in Cortina d'Ampezzo, no spectators should be allowed in three weeks.
Strange scenes came about when strict requirements were set for interviews with athletes at the Alpine World Cup in La Thuile, Italy. Among other things, journalists had to keep a minimum distance of one and a half meters when talking in the target area. There were no public press conferences or winners' ceremonies.
Football is also directly affected by the effects of the corona virus in Italy. Four third-division footballers tested positive for the virus, the affected club US Pianese said. 15 club players, supervisors and managers are currently in quarantine for two weeks.
German football is not yet directly affected by the possible effects. DFB President Fritz Keller considers the further consequences of the spread for sport to be difficult to assess and wants to rely on the judgment of experts in the event of possible consequences in football. "Ultimately, the authorities have to decide whether a game takes place or not. It is not in our power," said the head of the association in the "Current Sports Studio" of ZDF.
However, some clubs have taken precautions. The clubs minimize physical contact to avoid possible transmission of the virus. FC Bayern, according to its own statements, waive autograph sessions and fan photos until further notice. "We ask for the understanding of our fans and all visitors to our training sessions and our games," said the Munich-based company. RB Leipzig has made travel stops for players, scouts and other employees and canceled trips abroad that have already been booked. At SC Freiburg there is no greeting with a handshake.
According to the Ministry of Health, France previously prohibited all major events involving more than 5,000 people. Even in the Paris Saint-Germain league game against Dijon, it was only 75 minutes before kick-off that it was clear that the game could even take place.
The first season race of the World Triathlon Series was postponed in Abu Dhabi, which was originally planned for March 5-7. It should be made up for in March or April if possible.
The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing do not seem to have been affected so far. "We are doing our best to push ahead with preparations for Beijing in 2022, despite the fight against the virus, and to ensure that preparations are on schedule and according to standards," said Beijing Vice Mayor Zhang Jiandong.
Press release La Thuile - English
Communication Bavaria
Swiss Epidemic Act
WHO situation reports Covid-19
Robert Koch Institute on Covid-19
WHO information page on Covid-19
Communication from the German Fencing Federation
List of sporting events affected by the virus
Football League in Ecuador
Communication Pianese
Italian league announcement
Communication UAE