The halting of sport was the very least we could do
The world of sport is paying its respects to Her Majesty the Queen by cancelling most activity this weekend.
Interestingly, it has created some controversy with a number of people complaining on social media about the postponements.
Official guidance was issued on Friday – indicating that there was no obligation to cancel sporting events or close entertainment venues during the national mourning period – but it was left to the discretion of individual organisations.
The guidance also suggested that if events were going ahead, players may wish to wear black armbands and observe a period of silence before starting.
It seems that most organisations have gone with the mood of the country and decided to suspend activity, in keeping with the sentiment of the majority of the population.
Test match cricket on Friday was cancelled and the PGA Championship at Wentworh was suspended – although both returned to action yesterday – while all football this weekend was called off.
Even the Queen’s greatest love, horse racing, was halted.
Scottish Rugby also took the most-respectful course of action, postponing all matches this weekend.
Even outside the UK, sportsmen and women were showing marks of respect for the death of the monarch.
But, as ever, those who disagree with the move appear to be the most vociferous, arguing that Her Majesty would have wanted people to enjoy themselves and participate in recreational events – the show must go on, after all.
In my view, losing one day of sport doesn’t feel like a particularly great sacrifice in comparison to a 96-year-old monarch, who was working almost to the day she died.
Her death deserves to be marked appropriately, and no matter about the minute’s silence or black armbands, the post-match merriment would be no less sober than any other Saturday afternoon.
Yet yesterday was different.
The loss of rugby also has an impact on Glasgow, who have cancelled their pre-season match against Ulster.
Edinburgh played on Friday night in Italy and, having travelled a considerable distance, it made some sense to continue with the match.
Glasgow will go into their first URC match short of truly tough match practice, given that Worcester Warriors were unable to fulfil their commitment last weekend in Inverness.
While Glasgow had a run-out against the Ayrshire Bulls, it must be slightly concerning to their coaches that they are still a bit short of match practice.
Glasgow travel to Benetton next weekend for the opening match of their campaign before hosting Cardiff at home, while Edinburgh host the Dragons in the capital before heading to South Africa to take on the Bulls.
Italy hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for the Scottish teams, and getting off to a fast start is helpful.
After this weekend, it looks like a stiff challenge for Franco Smith and his team.