Digest

EPIDEMIC

Chengdu Universiade sticks with 2021 timing

The International University Sports Federation (FISU) on Tuesday confirmed that the Chengdu 2021 World University Games will be held in August next year as planned, with only a two-day modification to the original schedule.

Last week's postponement of Tokyo 2020 had led to speculation that the Chengdu Universiade may move to a different slot to avoid being too close to the rescheduled Olympics, which will now take place from July 23-Aug 8 next year.

However, the FISU has announced only a minor tweak to the Chengdu 2021 schedule. Having been originally slated to take place from Aug 16-27, the 2021 Chengdu Universiade will now be staged from Aug 18-29.

"We remain deeply grateful to our friends and colleagues in China for their continued support of university sport as they prepare for what promises to be an exceptional World University Games," said FISU president Oleg Matytsin.

World Games to shift dates to avoid overlap

The postponement of the Tokyo Olympics to the summer of 2021 will have an impact on numerous other championships－including an Olympic-style event for sports that are not part of the Summer Games.

The new dates for the Olympics－July 23-Aug 8, 2021－now overlaps with the 2021 World Games, which were set to be held in Birmingham, Alabama, between July 15-25.

The International World Games Association said it will shift the dates of its signature event to an earlier date in 2021 or to a similar time in 2022.

The World Games began in 1981 and are held every four years to showcase disciplines that are not on the Olympic program, such as sumo, floorball, billiards, lifesaving, orienteering, dance sport and tug of war.

Birmingham expects some 3,600 athletes from more than 100 nations to participate.

TENNIS

Patrick McEnroe says he has coronavirus

Former United States Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe said in a video posted on social media that he has tested positive for the coronavirus.

McEnroe, the younger brother of eight-time major champion John, said he did a drive-through test in upstate New York after developing what he called "minor symptoms" about 10 days ago.

Patrick McEnroe said: "The good news is I feel fine. My symptoms have passed. I feel, really, 100 percent."

As a player, he won one tournament in singles and 16 in doubles, including the 1989 French Open.

He succeeded his brother as Davis Cup captain and served in that job for nearly a decade, leading the US to the title in 2007.

The 53-year-old and his brother, 61, are now both TV analysts, sometimes working alongside each other in the booth.

Jamie Murray expects Wimbledon cancellation

Two-time mixed doubles champion Jamie Murray said he believes Wimbledon will be canceled.

The All England Club board will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss the fate of the 2020 tournament.

The grass-court season lasts only six weeks and Wimbledon is staged when daylight hours are the longest in Britain. The club has acknowledged the short window available to it and ruled out playing without spectators.

The French Open, played on clay courts, has been postponed from May to September.

The brother of two-time Wimbledon singles champion Andy Murray was asked whether he thinks a cancellation is more likely than a postponement. He told BBC Radio 4: "I think so. I think for them it is difficult to move the tournament back for many reasons, because you are running into other tournaments."

BASKETBALL

Jordan documentary gets early release date

A 10-part documentary series on retired NBA legend Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls dynasty has been finished early for an April release, presenters announced on Tuesday.

The Last Dance was originally expected to debut in early June alongside the start of the 2020 NBA Finals before the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has shut down sports leagues, but now will start April 19 on ESPN.

"April 19th can't come fast enough. I CAN NOT WAIT!! Yessir!" four-time NBA MVP LeBron James tweeted on Tuesday.

James, who sparked the Los Angeles Lakers to the Western Conference lead when the season was halted, was among those who pushed for a launch while much of the United States is quarantined at home without live sports events to watch on TV.

CRICKET

ECB announces $75m stimulus package

A $75 million rescue package was rolled out by English cricket's governing body on Tuesday in a bid to help teams withstand the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said 40 million pounds (about $50 million) was being made available at the top-tier level. More than 20 million pounds ($25 million) will go to local cricket clubs.

"It will be months before the full financial fallout is made clear," ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said. "We will continue work with all of our partners to protect the ongoing health of the entire game in the short term and beyond."

The start of the English season has been delayed until May 28 at the earliest, and Harrison added: "We will have to have discussions in a few weeks about getting crowds into stadiums. If that is not going to be possible and we can serve cricket fans in this country in some way then we will look at that."

SWIMMING

Champion Kapas tests positive for COVID-19

Hungarian Olympic bronze medalist Boglarka Kapas announced on her Facebook page on Tuesday that she tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

She would have needed two negative tests to continue her training, the first test was negative but the second came out positive.

"I am currently in quarantine for two weeks at home, I cannot leave the apartment. For now, I do not feel any symptoms," the 26-year-old said, recalling the importance of protective measures against the outbreak and the significance of staying home.

Later, she told public television channel M1 that she cried when she found out the result.

Kapas won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the women's 800m freestyle event and last summer won the 200m butterfly at the world championships in Gwangju, South Korea.

Xinhua - Agencies