Postponements and resumption: A turbulent year of 2020 for sports world
Yearender 2020: Sporting events this year witnessed months long pause due to the coronavirus pandemic. From tennis seasons to football leagues, all sporting events across the world came to screeching halt. Let's take a look at how the sporting fraternity cope with coronavirus pandemic and bounce back:
A spectator poses in front of the Australian Open logo
The year was off to a usual start with Australian Open, followed by crowded football leagues and cricket matches going on as usual.
(Photograph:Reuters)
Liverpool fans celebrate after winning Premier League 2019-20
Football leagues hosted scores of fans during the matches.
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Formula One
Formula One season was set to begin. However, the virus broke out in Wuhan.
(Photograph:Reuters)
New coronavirus, in Hong Kong, China
Coronavirus brought the whole world to a stand still. Lockdowns were imposed across countries to prevent spread of the disease. Many sporting events were halted midway due to the lockdown.
(Photograph:Reuters)
;Europe's top football leagues
In March, most of the sporting leagues came to halt. European football leagues incurred heavy losses due to lockdown.
(Photograph:Twitter)
Checkout your favourite football stars during self-quarantine!
During the lockdown, several athletes from different sports took to social media to show their lockdown routines. While spent time with their families, others trained hard to stay in form.
(Photograph:Instagram)
Wimbledon
Wimbledon
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Tokyo Olympics
Tokyo Olympics, scheduled to be held in March 2020, was postponed to 2021 due to outbreak of virus in Japan. The government and organisers suffered huge losses due to it.
(Photograph:Reuters)
Euro 2021 postponed
UEFA decided to postpone Euro League to 2021.
(Photograph:AFP)
T20 World Cup 2021
T20 World Cup 2021
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Game on for Formula One teams in virtual future
Formula One season were off to a bad start. Many Grand Prix races were cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. However, the season bounced back months later and revised their schedule with remaining races to avoid forfeiting the season.
(Photograph:Zee News Network)
Measures!
After months of lockdown, sporting world decided to conduct events. However, the governing bodies had to plan adequate measures amid pandemic to avoid spread.
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No fans allowed!
It was immediately decided that fans will not be present in the stadiums during the events. Football leagues, Indian Premier League, Formula One Grand Prix, and Tennis Grand Slams were held behind closed doors to avoid spread of coronavirus.
(Photograph:AFP)
Revised schedule!
All the sports had to change their schedule in order to avoid forfeiting its season. Football leagues had to conclude the 2019/20, due to which the revised schedule was cramped up. Tennis season witnessed some protests as new dates of French Open were to close to US Open. Due to this schedule, many steps were taken in order to avoid injuries like 5 substitution in football.
(Photograph:AFP)
Bayern Munich's German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer celebrates with teammates and the trophy after Bayern won the UEFA Champions League final
Revised schedule was successful as most the leagues in various sports managed to complete seasons. However, few were cancelled due to outbreak of virus in that region. UEFA Champions League, US Open, French Open, Formula One, etc. had a season despite virus.
(Photograph:AFP)
Fans coming back in the stadium
Events like French Open and the on-going India's Tour in Australia has witnessed the return of fans. However, the capacity is limited to 50 per cent as of now. The percentage will improve with better conditions and in time.