Most spectators barred from Arnold Sports Festival

Ohio’s top health official issued an order March 5 restricting most spectators from the annual Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus over coronovirus fears, following two days of backand-forth debate with festival organizers.

The order from Health Department Director Dr. Amy Acton limits spectators to parents or guardians of minors participating in the festival, which attracts tens of thousands to the capital city. It allows attendance at some events

March 6 and March 7, including the men’s and women’s physique finals.

The festival is the city’s largest single event, with an economic impact of $53 million each year. It began as a bodybuilding competition founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1989 but has since grown into a giant sports festival whose events also include include weightlifting, running races, martial arts, table tennis and jump roping, among many others.

Arnold organizers said they will abide by the order, even while arguing they were being unfairly singled out compared with other athletic contests in the state, including professional sports games and college basketball contests.

NFL

PETERS TO TEST MARKET » The Eagles announced March 5 that 38-yearold offensive tackle Jason Peters will test the free agent market. Peters was slated to become a free agent March 18. The Eagles said the sides “mutually agreed” to the decision. The Birds haven’t ruled out signing Peters at a later date.

NBA

LAKERS SIGN WAITERS » The Lakers have signed former Heat guard Dion Waiters, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Waiters has played in just three games with Miami this season due to disciplinary reasons. Waiters and Lakers forward LeBron James played in 33 games together as members of the Cavs in 2014-15 before Waiters was traded to the Thunder in a midseason trade.

Staff and wire report