Former swimmer contracts virus
Former South African Olympic swimming gold medalist Cameron van der Burgh said he has contracted the coronavirus and added his voice to concerns for athletes’ well-being if the Tokyo Games go ahead as scheduled.
Van der Burgh, who retired from competitive swimming in 2018, posted a series of messages on social media on Sunday describing how he had been ill with the virus for two weeks.
“Although the most severe symptoms (extreme fever) have eased, I am still struggling with serious fatigue and a residual cough that I can’t shake,” van der Burgh wrote on his official Twitter account. “Any physical activity like walking leaves me exhausted for hours.”
Van der Burgh wrote that athletes are “exposing themselves to unnecessary risk” by continuing to train in preparation for the Olympics because there is “no clarification” on whether the games will go ahead as planned.
“And those (athletes) that do contract (the virus) will try rush back to training most likely enhancing/extending the damage/recovery time,” he wrote.
He ended his thread with: “COVID19 is no joke!”
Azerbaijan Grand Prix postponed. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak, delaying the start of the Formula One season until the middle of June at the earliest.
The first eight races of the 2020 season have now been either postponed or canceled because of the virus.
The race at the Baku City Circuit was scheduled for June 7 but has been called off after discussions between governing body FIA and the local government.
Champions League final postponed. UEFA formally NYON , SW ITZERL A ND» postponed the Champions League final — an inevitable move with European soccer in total shutdown and four Round of 16 games yet to be completed.
The final was scheduled for May 30 in Istanbul before the spreading coronavirus pandemic forced the four remaining second-leg games on March 17-18 to be delayed indefinitely.
UEFA said no decision has yet been made on finding a new date.
Brazilian stadium turns into hospital. Pacaembu Stadium in
SA OP AULO» downtown São Paulo is being turned into an open-air hospital to handle cases from the coronavirus outbreak.
The 45,000-seat stadium is expected to house more than 200 beds for minor cases of COVID-19. It should be ready in 10 days.
The stadium is near several key hospitals in Brazil’s biggest metropolis.
Australian rugby shuts down. SYDNEY» Australia’s National Rugby League became one of the last professional contact sports to shut down in response to the spread of the coronavirus, suspending its 16-team competition.