The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Qualifier voices fears over health at Crucible
Anthony Hamilton will fear for his health when he steps out at the Crucible due to what he described as the “ridiculous” decision to allow a limited audience at this year’s World Snooker Championship.
The 49-year-old, who suffers from asthma, has blasted the move to make the championship, which starts on Friday, the only indoor event among three pilots designed to smooth the way for spectators to return after the coronavirus pandemic.
Hamilton said: “Let’s say one person gets ill and dies from the Crucible – it’s one person who died for no reason at all, just for entertainment. I think it’s ridiculous.”
Hamilton booked his place in the final stages of the tournament for the first time in 12 years with a 10-5 win over Perth’s Scott Donaldson in the final qualifying round – but his win was overshadowed by the prospect of the risks he now believes he is obliged to take.
The four-time quarter-finalist, who made his Crucible debut in 1996, added: “On a personal front, I’m high risk – I’ve got asthma, so I’ve been diligent to say the least during this lockdown.
“I’ve been shielding, basically. I haven’t been seeing anyone.
“I’ve been practising on my own, I’ve been washing all my food, cleaning my clothes before going in the house, all that business.
“So to go into a room with 300 people is against the grain for me. I’m not going to be comfortable in there, personally.
“I don’t know why anyone is going to be comfortable.”
World Snooker Tour responded in a statement: “For the Betfred World Championship to be designated as the first indoor sporting event to be held with a crowd within the UK is a fantastic triumph for not only the World Snooker Tour but all of our partners.
“Independent and government advisers will be on site supporting WST and Sheffield Theatres, observing and assisting in ensuring that the measures which we have put in place are effective.”