A number of sporting events have been cancelled in China, following the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus.
Olympic qualifying events in boxing and women’s football were due to be held next month in Wuhan, but both have now been cancelled.
To date, there are already numerous victims and infections. The virus can cause pneumonia and symptoms include coughing, breathing difficulties and fever. In all parts of the world, flights from China are monitored.
Team GB Basketball are due to head to the country next month for their qualifiers for Tokyo 2020. At the moment, those are going ahead as planned.
Regarding the women’s basketball qualifiers, International Basketball Federation, FIBA, said: “FIBA is monitoring the situation in China closely in the build up to the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, with one of the four tournaments set to be played in Foshan, China from February 6 to 9. Our top priority is to ensure the health and safety of the teams participating, as well as the fans travelling to support them. Based on the information at our disposal, the Qualifying Tournament remains in Foshan.
“We continue to be in daily communication with the Local Organising Committee, the Chinese Basketball Association and the FIBA China Office, as well as the local authorities and relevant health authorities to ensure we are up-to-date on the very latest situation.”
Boxing title fight postponed
Unified junior welterweight world champion Jose Ramirez‘s mandatory title defence against Ukrainian Viktor Postol has been postponed due to the coronavirus concerns, promoters Top Rank said on Friday.
The bout was scheduled to take place at Mission Hills resort in Haikou on February 1, but the organisers said a new date and venue will be determined soon.
“The health and safety of our fighters and everyone working on the event is the most important thing,” Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said. We hope the situation is brought under control soon. We look forward to staging events at Mission Hills Haikou in the very near future.”
‘Countermeasures’ in place for Tokyo 2020
Tokyo 2020 Olympics organisers say “countermeasures against infectious diseases” are in place, amid fears over the disease spreading.
“Countermeasures against infectious diseases constitute an important part of our plans to host a safe and secure games,” Tokyo 2020 said in a statement.