International Games That Must Be Postponed Due To COVID-19

Sports medal illustration (Image by Adriano Gadini from Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The outbreak of COVID-19 in a number of countries has created various ways and steps to anticipate the spread of the virus. Not a few efforts have been taken, starting from locking down an area to canceling a number of important events.

Of course, these regulations have an impact on other sectors, one of which is sports events, where people from various regions come to watch the match. The VOI team has summarized a number of sports events in the world that must be postponed, or even canceled, because of the corona virus.

1. 2020 Olympics

Japan still insists on holding the 2020 Olympic sporting event which will be held in Tokyo. Even though the country has been confirmed with the corona virus outbreak.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics organizing committee said it had increased overall anticipatory measures to protect the health of spectators and sports delegates who would compete. This includes the possibility that the coronavirus outbreak will spread across the country during the five-year sporting event.

Olympic President Thomas Bach insisted that the games in Tokyo must go ahead as planned. He convinced the athletes and delegation teams to keep fighting and competing confidently in the 2020 Olympics.

If in the future, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics have to be postponed or canceled, the organizers will make the announcement by the end of May 2020. The five-year sporting event will be held on July 24 and August 25 for the Paralympics.

As we look forward to # Tokyo2020, we must l👀k back to the incredible women who took part in Tokyo 1964. 💪We have come a long way! #GenerationEquality #InternationalWomensDay # IWD2020 @ UN_Women @ UN pic.twitter.com/Z08TQAVrB5

- # Tokyo2020 (@ Tokyo2020) March 8, 2020

2. World Indoor Athletics Championships

The World Indoor Athletics Championships are scheduled to be held in Nanjing, China, on March 13-15. However, the sports party was postponed until 2021. Previously, World Athletics sought advice from the World Health Organization (WHO) and rejected an offer to move the competition area to another country.

"The advice from our medical team in contact with WHO is that the spread of the coronavirus both in China and abroad is still at an alarming level and nothing should be continued with major meetings postponed," World Athletics said, as quoted by the BBC.

Organizers have also considered the possibility of moving the event to another country. However, other options will still be sought, given fears of the spread of the corona virus outside China.

3. Qualifying for the Asian World Cup

FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are known to have met and discussed football activities in Asia. The two football organizations decided to postpone upcoming matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asia.

Through FIFA's personal website, his party and the AFC admit that they really prioritize the welfare and health of all individuals involved in football matches. The two organizations will consider all other possibilities, as a follow-up

FIFA also emphasized that it will continue to monitor the situation with regard to COVID-19 in collaboration with WHO, confederations and member associations.

Update on upcoming @FIFAWorldCup qualifiers - https://t.co/5Kd4TQX5RT

- FIFA Media (@fifamedia) March 9, 2020

4. MotoGP Thailand and Qatar

The Thailand MotoGP race had to be postponed until a known time due to the COVID-19 virus which reportedly infected the country. Not only the race in Thailand must be postponed, the day before the MotoGP party was also forced to postpone the motorcycle race in Qatar.

MotoGP also did not provide a new date for organizing racing events in the two countries.

"I'm not saying it's canceled, I'm just saying the match is postponed until time allows us to do (the event)," said Anutin Charnvirakul, chairman of the Thailand MotoGP organizing committee, quoted by Fox Sport.

The decision also indicated that the next two series of races would be canceled. Where the next race will be scheduled in Austin, Texas, United States on April 5, 2020.

“The people present, the drivers and the team can come from countries that are at risk (COVID-19). Thailand must postpone the match for the safety of the Thai people until the situation is better, "added Anutin.

5. World Triathlon Series

The International Triathlon Union has consulted with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and took the decision to postpone the World Triathlon Series 2020 Abu Dhabi, World Paratriathlon Abu Dhabi, and Relay-Mixed Abu Dhabi events as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The event is planned to be held from March 5 to March 7 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, where several cases of COVID-19 were reported in recent days. Although the Abu Dhabi authorities have done everything for the safety of all athletes, coaches and officials, ITU ultimately followed WHO's advice to postpone the event.

6. Alpine Skiing World Cup

The final of the Alpine Skiing World Cup, which was scheduled to be held in Cortina d'Ampezzo between March 16-22, was officially canceled due to the spread of COVID-19. This was conveyed directly by the Italian Winter Sports Federation. The cancellations leave only four men's matches out of 43 scheduled and three women's games out of 37 scheduled.

"It is with great regret that we canceled the event but the decision is unanimous," said the Italian Winter Sports Federation.