From The Ski Slopes To The Tennis Court Covid’s Shadow Lurks

Ski ace Mikaela Shiffrin and tennis star Andrey Rublev examined constructive for Covid-19 simply weeks from the Winter Olympics and Australian Open respectively as world sport as soon as once more felt the coolness wind of the coronavirus.

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Shiffrin will miss this week’s World Cup races in Lienz — however with a lead within the general standings of over 100 factors she will in all probability afford to.

Rublev, although, is extra inconvenienced with the primary Grand Slam of the season the Australian Open starting in Melbourne on January 17.

“I’ve to get better and I’ll go to Melbourne solely when I’m sure it’s protected for everybody,” tweeted Rublev on Monday.

The world quantity 5, in addition to former world primary Rafael Nadal, Wimbledon semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov and US Open champion Emma Raducanu, might properly remorse accepting the cash to play within the exhibition event in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.

The quartet, together with Wimbledon ladies’s quarter-finalist Ons Jabeur and Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, all examined constructive. Raducanu didn’t even play as she examined constructive earlier than the event, as did Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya.

The controversy nonetheless rages on whether or not the English Premier League had been right to insist the present should go on over Christmas somewhat than name a halt.

Three Boxing Day matches had been referred to as off and two attributable to be performed on Tuesday have already been postponed.

The scenario has raised Chelsea supervisor Thomas Tuchel’s hackles — not least as a result of his membership’s attraction to have the sport on December 19 with Wolves referred to as off was rejected.

“It is not truthful,” mentioned Tuchel after his aspect beat Aston Villa 3-1 on Sunday.

“We have all been in mattress for 10 days and we play in opposition to groups who put together with video games postponed, and who put together with one week for these matches.

“They make us play on a regular basis, even when now we have Covid.

“We’ve got new accidents and it will not cease. Individuals on the inexperienced desk, in workplaces, make these selections.”

Not like the English leagues, Scottish Premiership golf equipment had leeway and introduced ahead by every week their three week winter break.

America’s two-time Olympic ski champion Mikaela Shiffrin and Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev each examined constructive for Covid-19 as sports activities feels the unwell wind of the pandemic Photograph: AFP / JEFF PACHOUD

The choice had a monetary angle: Scotland’s authorities had introduced in measures starting on Boxing Day that restricted attendances to 500 spectators.

Shiffrin’s rivals will not even have that quantity watching in Lienz because the Austrian Ski Federation deemed it essential to bar spectators.

“We’re acutely aware of our accountability,” mentioned Roswitha Stadlober, president of the Austrian Ski Federation.

Little has gone proper for the England cricket staff in Australia with their probabilities of regaining the Ashes all however gone.

Issues grew worse as 4 members of the touring occasion — two assist employees and two relations — examined constructive for coronavirus hours earlier than the beginning of day two within the third Take a look at in Melbourne.

The squad are nervously awaiting outcomes of PCR assessments.

“We have simply stepped up security protocols across the dressing room, carrying masks and protecting distance the place potential,” mentioned England tempo bowler Jimmy Anderson.

Covid has already value Nationwide Hockey League gamers the prospect to go to the Winter Olympics. They accepted final week that the league couldn’t make up the backlog of misplaced video games.

The scenario has develop into so critical that the NHL have authorised groups to make use of taxi squads — six-player reserve teams — to bolster their rosters.

Such squads had been used final season in response to the pandemic’s impression on the league.

French rugby’s High 14 bosses haven’t needed to go that far, however the majority of their fixtures on Sunday and Monday had been referred to as off.

That may place rising strain on the calendar as seven European matches involving French golf equipment had been postponed from the weekend earlier than.

The one free weekends are these put aside for the Six Nations.

They, like different leagues, may echo Tuchel’s phrases by season’s finish.

“It is like it’s — however this can’t be the correct approach,” mentioned Tuchel.