Sports honour victims
The impact of the Christchurch shooting massacre continues to be felt around the sporting world.
The Ottawa Senators National Hockey League team held a moment’s silence before their home clash against the Toronto Maple Leafs to honour victims of the terror attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday.
The Senators went on to defeat the Maple Leafs 6-2 to secure an important victory.
The horrific terrorist shooting, during which 50 innocent Muslims were killed while praying at two mosques in Christchurch, was also observed before Wales’ Six Nations Grand Slam victory over Ireland at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday).
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones said before the match: ‘‘On behalf of the Welsh Rugby Union players and staff we pass our respects to everyone affected with events that have gone on in New Zealand.
‘‘Obviously there’s close links with a lot of our staff and a few players so we would like to extend that.’’
Ireland skipper Rory Best also offered his condolences.
‘‘Our heartfelt sympathies go out to all the families and anyone in that greater Christchurch area and anyone with family over there,’’ he said.
‘‘Obviously we have Joe [Schmidt], Greg Feek, Bundee [Aki] has family in New Zealand, Ronan O’Gara, good friend of a lot of the squad, he’s over there as well . . . it’s just one of that tragedies that’s really hard to put into words.
‘‘You feel very helpless. All you can do is pass on your deepest sympathies.’’
Players from the Australian National Basketball League grand final also observed the tragedy prior to the Perth Wildcats’ series clinching victory in Melbourne on Sunday, while Super Rugby and NRL matches over the weekend all held moments of silence to honour the victims.