16th to 22nd March
As we were compiling the review, it has been a surprise to see so many sports available at the time of writing. We suspect most of these events will eventually have to be cancelled on the advice of the World Health Organisation and local government. Some countries like Russia may feel they have relatively low numbers affected by the Covid-19 virus, but it is the supporters coming in to attend the event that may pose the risk. It has been an incredibly strange week for sport as we could only think of the Second World War as the last time where events were stopped on such a scale for obvious reasons. The postponement and cancellation of tournaments has been the correct thing to do, albeit, somewhat belatedly. Covid-19 has caught us all by surprise and has sadly claimed the lives of too many people already. We need the next month to step back from our regular activities and do what it takes to get on top of the pandemic. The spread of the virus has to be contained.
New Zealand has issued a statement that anyone entering the country must self-isolate for two weeks. Many nations may follow that example. There is no doubt that the suspension of almost all sport will have an impact on many economies. Air travel has already been hit hard with the USA banning most international flights to the country. Hotel bookings and other accommodation will be cancelled, while local businesses and sponsors will also be impacted negatively. It seems like the tipping point for suspension came about when sports stars began to be diagnosed with the virus. Very sadly we have been listening for too long now where people casually remarked that the virus seems to mainly affect the vulnerable elderly, almost as if that was less of an issue to take it seriously. Let's hope that the one of the reasons for the call to action was not that our sports stars and celebrities were being positively diagnosed. Sport has the ability to unite nations, but it is not the most important thing of all. Lives matter, so let us look out for each other this week and stay and safe as possible.
Aquatics
Friday to Sunday - FINA/CNSG Diving World Series 2020 #2 - Kazan, Russia (postponed)
Athletics
Friday - Silver - Queensland Track Classic - Brisbane, Australia (postponed)
Bodybuilding
Friday to Saturday - IFBB Better Bodies Challenge - Stockholm, Sweden (cancelled)
Bridge
Thursday to 29th March - Spring NABC 2020 - Columbus, OH, USA (cancelled)
Chess
15th March to 5th April - Candidates Tournament 2020 - Yekaterinburg, Russia
Cricket
10th to 24th March - 2020 Over 50s Cricket World Cup - Cape Town, South Africa (cancelled)
Sunday - South Africa Women v Australia Women (1st ODI) - Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (postponed)
Equestrian
Saturday - Group 1 Racing - The Agency George Ryder Stakes; Ranvet Rawson Stakes - Rosehill, Australia
Saturday - FEI Jumping World Cup - Werribee, Australia (cancelled)
Handball
Friday to Sunday - 2020 Olympic Qualification Tournament - Hungary / Montenegro / Spain (postponed)
Kickboxing
Saturday - WAKO 2020 International Kickboxing Cup - Balkan Open - Tesanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina (cancelled)
Para Sports
14th March to Wednesday - 2020 IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Americas Championship - São Paulo, Brazil
Sunday to 30th March - Virtus 2020 Cameroon Open Athletics Championships - Yaounde, Cameroon
Pool Billiards
15th March to Friday - Predator World 10-Ball Championship - Las Vegas, NV, USA (cancelled)
Rafting
Friday to Sunday - 2020 WRF European Rafting Cup - Slunj, Croatia
Roller Sports
Tuesday to Saturday - Asian Street Skateboarding Championship 2020 - Singapore (cancelled)
Ski & Snowboarding
Thursday to Sunday - FIS Ski-Flying World Championships - Planica, Slovenia
Snooker
Tuesday to Sunday - Coral Tour Championship - Llandudno, Wales (postponed)
Table Soccer
Thursday to Saturday - World Tour - Q8foosball ITSF Tour 2020 - Kuwait (cancelled)
Friday to Sunday - World Tour - Foosball Shenanigans 2020; New York State Junior Foosball Championships 2020 - USA (cancelled)
Volleyball
Tuesday to Sunday - Beach Volleyball World Tour - Coolangatta Beach, Gold Coast, Australia (postponed)