By Kristel Satumbaga

The Philippine Sports Commission is closely monitoring the health status of its national athletes and coaches in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

PSC chairman Butch Ramirez said Wednesday they are in close coordination with various officials to look into the athletes’ welfare particularly those training abroad.

At the moment, no athlete or coach has been reportedly tested positive of the virus or has been showing symptoms.

“So far, wala pa,” Ramirez said.

Though most athletes, officials and employees have already gone home as early as last week in anticipation of the regional lockdown, Ramirez said PSC doctors are still seeking help from the Department of Health with regards to athletes getting tested.

The PSC is also in contact with the status of the athletes and coaches training abroad that include pole vaulter EJ Obiena in Italy, five Fil-Japanese athletes and gymnast Carlos Yulo in Japan, four swimmers and four tracksters in the United States and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz stranded in Malaysia.

Italy, for instance, is among the hardest hit of the virus in Europe with more than 30,000 cases and 2,500 deaths so far.

At the moment, the PSC is maintaining a skeletal force to keep up with day-to-day operations while others are conducting virtual offices while enhanced community lockdown is implemented within the region.

This year’s sporting calendar is in a complex situation with most major international events getting postponed or cancelled.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso has pledged a donation of P100,000 to PBA employees and arena personnel affected by the postponement of games due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Cariaso said he will give P25,000 from his own pocket plus another P25,000 from team governor Dickie Bachmann and P50,000 from the Aces in order to help those who rely on gamedays as a source to make a living.

Several players, namely NLEX’s Kiefer Ravena, Meralco’s Cliff Hodge and Nico Salva and TNT KaTropa’s Harvey Carey had earlier heeded Cariaso’s call to take the endeavor which was also initiated by PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial.

“To coincide with the PBA’s initiative to support those people who are not regular employees, I am making a pledge to donate (P100,000) to our hard working PBA game day personnel who are severely affected by the cancellation/ delay of our season,” Cariaso said.

“Those without monthly salaries are our statisticians, table officials, gate keepers, entertainment personnel (blue boys),and our parking (and) operations personnel.

“These individuals are the hardworking people behind the scenes that allow players and teams to showcase what we do best. They complete the platform and pave the way each and every play date,” he added.

To coincide with the PBA’s initiative to support those people who are not regular employees, I am making a pledge to donate 100k ( Alaska 50k, REB 25k, Me 25k ) to our hard working PBA game day personnel who are severely affected by the cancellation/ delay of our season.

— Jeff Cariaso (@thejet_22) March 18, 2020

Cariaso is hoping that the drive will eventually reach an amount were each personnel can get a salary of at least two months.

“My goal is to make up for the at least two months worth of wages for those individuals relying heavily on the games. If anyone would like to help out, kindly message me personally,” added Cariaso.

The PBA suspended its games last week due to the severe threat caused by the infectious disease and subsequent declaration of an enhanced community quarantine by the government.

The postponement left the aforementioned employees a dilemma of how to make up for the lost income.

But Cariaso eventually took the lead in efforts to compensate those affected, with several players later expressing their commitments to join the efforts.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz is not taking any chances for now with regards to joining other Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs) to earn a spot in the Tokyo Olympics.

Diaz said that while there are few more available tournaments in other regions, doing so could be unsafe due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Sa ngayon hindi na muna po kinu-consider. Medyo risky na,” said Diaz, who is currently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“Ayoko din ma-quarantine ng 14 days na walang training tapos sayang din and pera… yung pang airfare ticket if magtry kami ulit,” added Diaz, who is with her Chinese mentor Kaiwen Gao and strength and conditioning coach Julis Naranjo in KL.

There is an OQT next month, the Pan-American Championship in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The 28-year-old Diaz was supposed to compete in the Asian Championship scheduled April 16 to 25, and that her training camp in the Malaysian capital is part of her preparation for the said OQT.

However, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) postponed it after Kazakhstan backed out as host, and then Uzbekistan begged off to stage it when it was offered to stage the OQT – both because of COVID-19.

Diaz was supposed to join the South American-Ibero American and Open Senior’s Championship slated this week in Cali, Colombia, but a travel ban was imposed on Asians and Europeans.

At the moment, Diaz is at No. 5 in the 55kg women’s category with 3,717.0982 points, behind Chinese weightlifters in Jiang Huihua (4,667.8878), Liao Qiuyun (4,288.9622), Zhang Wangqiong (4,212.6639) and Li Yajun (4,099.0223).

Only one athlete per country will get an Olympic spot. Diaz is one short of the required six OQTs by the IWF.

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) chief Monico Puentevella said he has proposed to the IWF – set to meet this week in Lausanne, Switzerland – to accept five OQTs instead of the original six because of the current health crisis.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

The ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) Board of Governors (BOG) is pushing through with the 10th ASEAN Para Games after the approval to stage it on October 3 to 9 here.

In a letter dated March 16, 2020, board secretary Osoth Bhavilai said the BOG, the federation’s highest decision-making authority, convened in a two-hour emergency meeting via ‘video conference’ and the postponement of the event was the main topic due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Michael Barredo, who represents the Philippines, met with National Paralympic Committee presidents and alternates from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Brunei and Myanmar were not represented in the meeting.

The PARA Games was originally set March 21 to 27 although the new schedule would still require the conditions that the COVID-19 pandemic is put under control and no longer a threat to human.

The board has agreed to convene another meeting at the end of July to assess the situation before confirming and proceeding with the proposed new dates for the Games.

This would also give the host country ample time to notify the APSF of at least 60 days before the commencement of the Games, and allow the APSF Coordination Committee to inspect Games facilities and the host’s readiness.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Olympic pole vault champion Katerina Stefanidi said athletes were being forced to take health risks as competitors started to speak out about holding the Tokyo Games during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

Stefanidi and British heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson both voiced concerns after the International Olympic Committee said it was “fully committed” to running the Games as scheduled from July 24.

An IOC member called the body’s stance “insensitive and irresponsible“, saying athletes were facing “anxiety and heartbreak” as they try to train during the virus emergency.

Stefanidi, one of Greece’s most prominent athletes, was scheduled to hand the ceremonial flame to Japanese officials before the Greek leg of the torch relay was scrapped over COVID-19.

“The IOC wants us to keep risking our health, our family’s health and public health to train every day?” she tweeted.

“You are putting us in danger right now, today, not in 4 months.”

On Tuesday, minutes before the IOC statement, the Euro 2020 football tournament was delayed for a year, bowing to the crisis that has paralyzed Europe and drastically curtailed international travel.

Olympic qualifying tournaments are among the swathe of sports events that have been cancelled or postponed, with only 57 percent of athletes booking their places so far.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Stefanidi. “What about team sports that have to train together? What about swimming? What about gymnastics that they touch the same objects?

“There is zero consideration of the risk they are putting us in right now.”

Johnson-Thompson, the world heptathlon champion, criticised the IOC for telling athletes to train “as best they can”, saying it was at odds with stringent government health measures.

“I feel under pressure to train and keep the same routine which is impossible,” she wrote on Twitter.

“It’s difficult (to) approach the season when everything has changed in the lead-up apart from the ultimate deadline,” added the Briton.

‘Bigger than the Olympics’

Doubts are increasingly being expressed about holding the Olympics on time, after the outbreak that first exploded in China spread to Asia and then worldwide, infecting almost 200,000 people and killing 7,900.

On Wednesday an Olympic gymnastics qualifier in Tokyo, doubling as a test event, became the latest competition to be cancelled.

A day earlier, the deputy head of Japan’s Olympic committee said he had tested positive for coronavirus.

But the IOC insisted “there is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage” adding that “any speculation at this moment would be counter-productive”.

Hayley Wickenheiser, a Canadian IOC member with four ice hockey gold medals, warned “this crisis is bigger than even the Olympics”.

“From an athlete perspective, I can only imagine and try to empathise with the anxiety and heartbreak athletes are feeling right now,” she said in a statement.

“The uncertainty of not knowing where you’re going to train tomorrow as facilities close and qualification events are cancelled all over the world would be terrible if you’ve been training your whole life for this.”

Wickenheiser added: “I think the IOC insisting this will move ahead, with such conviction, is insensitive and irresponsible given the state of humanity.”

Middle-distance runner Jess Judd also criticised the IOC advice on training, while fellow British track athlete Guy Learmonth has told The Guardian that the Olympics should be postponed.

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© Agence France-Presse

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Despite seeing his April 11 fight get postponed, Filipino world champion Jerwin Ancajas is not about to allow himself to abandon training camp.

Though he will no longer subject himself to the usual training routine, Ancajas insists he will work out regularly to ensure that he remains in fighting form.

Ancajas’ ninth defense of the International Boxing Federation super-flyweight set for April 11 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas was postponed by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc., owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Also put on hold were all the other Top Rank shows for March and April with those being eyed for May likewise under threat of not happening.

“Mamaya magpapawis kami,” said Ancajas from his home in Magallanes, Cavite, where a makeshift gym is in place.

Joven Jimenez, who manages and trains Ancajas, is also residing in the same compound.

“We are still focused on training,” said Jimenez, who just stayed with Ancajas in Dipolog City for over two months.

It is unclear when and where the fight is going to take place but Team Ancajas wants to maintain readiness just in case the situation improves.

“Over here, we have fresh air and away from the crowds and no distractions,” added Jimenez.

The world of sports has been badly hit by the global virus outbreak that almost 100 percent of events have all been postponed or scrapped.

Even the Tokyo Olympics set in July-April is in danger as well.

Boxing alone was struck hard with Las Vegas, the city that keeps the sport on its feet, forcing to shut down.

Aside from Ancajas, also taking a hit was another Filipino champion in John Riel Casimero, who was supposed to meet Japanese Naoya Inoue in a highly-anticipated bantamweight unification bout on April 25 at Mandalay Bay.

Even eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao’s desire to return to the ring in July doesn’t appear to be realistic given the situation that changes not daily but by the hour.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

International Olympic Committee member Hayley Wickenheiser said Tuesday that vows to press ahead with plans for the Tokyo Games are “insensitive and irresponsible.”

Wickenheiser, a member of Canada’s women’s ice hockey team that won four straight Olympic golds between 2002 and 2016, made her comments on Twitter.

I’ve given this a lot of thought, and over the past few days my perspective has changed. I was voted to represent and protect athletes. As an IOCAC member, 6x Olympian and Medical doctor in training on the front lines in ER up until this week,these are my thoughts on @Olympics : pic.twitter.com/vrvfsQZ1GO

— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) March 17, 2020

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The 41-year-old IOC Athletes Commission member was speaking as the IOC said there was no need for “drastic decisions” over the staging of the July 24-August 8 event.

IOC and Japanese officials have insisted they are working towards staging the Olympics as planned despite the escalating coronavirus pandemic.

“This crisis is bigger than even the Olympics,” said Wickenheiser.

“We don’t know what’s happening in the next 24 hours, let alone the next three months.”

Wickenheiser pointed to the disruption the pandemic had already caused to athletes preparing for the games.

Athletes have been prevented from accessing training facilities because of virus-related lockdowns, while others have seen key competitions and qualifying events cancelled.

“From an athlete perspective, I can only imagine and try to empathise with the anxiety and heartbreak athletes are feeling right now,” Wickenheiser said.

“The uncertainty of not knowing where you’re going to train tomorrow as facilities close and qualification events are cancelled all over the world would be terrible if you’ve been training your whole life for this.

“Athletes can’t train, attendees can’t travel plan. Sponsors and marketers can’t market with any degree of sensitivity.

“I think the IOC insisting this will move ahead, with such conviction, is insensitive and irresponsible given the state of humanity.”

In a later tweet, Wickenheiser expanded on her criticism.

“Should the Olympics be cancelled? No one knows at this point and that IS my point,” she wrote.

“To say for certain they will go ahead is an injustice to the athletes training and global population at large. We need to acknowledge the unknown.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

A Tokyo Olympics gymnastics qualifier next month, which had hoped to feature US superstar Simone Biles among its participants, was cancelled Wednesday as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continued to cast a shadow over this year’s Games.

The Japan Gymnastics Association announced the scrapping of the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Tokyo on April 4-5, an Olympic test event, just a few days after saying it would be held without spectators.

“Due to the impact of the spread of coronavirus infections in Europe and cancellations of World Cups in other countries, many athletes and judges decided not to participate in the event,” the JGA said in a statement.

Leading gymnasts including four-time Olympic gold medalist Biles, who is expected to be among the stars of Tokyo 2020, had been on the original entry list for the event.

A rhythmic gymnastics Olympic test event scheduled for April 6 is still going ahead, according to the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee.

“After confirming it is safe to do so, Tokyo 2020 will carry out an operational test within the given dates,” the organizers said, adding they will consult with the International Olympic Committee and Federation Internationale de Gymnastique.

The cancellation comes as doubts grow about whether the Games can open as scheduled on July 24.

Organizers and the International Olympic Committee insist preparations are moving ahead as scheduled despite cancellations and alterations to events ranging from qualifiers to the torch relay.

Tokyo 2020 organizers said Tuesday they had taken the “heartbreaking” decision to scale back parts of flame’s journey across Japan, beginning with its arrival in the country on Friday.

A recent poll by Kyodo News showed 70 percent of respondents in Japan said they did not think the Games could be held as scheduled.

But the IOC said Tuesday there was no change to the programme so far.

“The IOC remains fully committed to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and with more than four months to go before the Games there is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage,” it said in a statement after its executive board met in Lausanne.

“Any speculation at this moment would be counter-productive.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

A second player within the New York Yankees’ minor league system tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), the organization confirmed Tuesday.

The unidentified player’s diagnosis comes on the heels of another Yankees’ minor-leaguer testing positive on Friday.

The Yankees confirmed the latter player’s status on Sunday, telling MLB.com that he had spent time only at the team’s minor league facility and was never at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla.

Regarding the latest player to test positive, the team stated Tuesday in a press release, “While under self-quarantine, the player reported fatigue and an elevated body temperature to Yankees medical personnel. The test was administered on Sunday, and the player returned to self-quarantine following the positive results. We can also report that within the past 48 hours his symptoms have dissipated.”

The Yankees were among the teams whose major league players elected to stay in camp amid the coronavirus pandemic, however Major League Baseball on Sunday encouraged teams to disband and leave camp. Manager Aaron Boone left the team’s complex in Tampa on Tuesday and said he was driving home to Greenwich, Conn., per ESPN.

“Again, it’s starting to hit home more every day, it seems like,” Yankees left-hander J.A. Happ told ESPN on Tuesday. “So we’re just preparing and trying to be smart if we can and paying attention to the news.”

Major League Baseball suspended spring training and delayed the start of the 2020 regular season last week due to the coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, MLB announced Opening Day would be pushed back in accordance with the recommendations made Sunday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to restrict events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

Members of the Los Angeles Lakers are under quarantine for 14 days and will be tested for COVID-19, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday.

The Lakers reportedly participated in a team conference call on Tuesday after the Brooklyn Nets, their most recent opponent, disclosed that four of their players tested positive for coronavirus.

Only one of those four players showed symptoms. Among them is All-Star Kevin Durant, who is idle in his first season with the Nets as he recovers from an Achilles operation.

The Nets and Lakers played March 10.

The Lakers issued a press release Tuesday evening that did not specifically mention whether players are being quarantined or tested. However, the statement read, in part, “Given the exposure risks from our game against the Nets on March 10th, we are following the next steps of our COVID-19 procedures and protocol that are established in consultation with various health officials, the NBA and our UCLA Health doctors.”

Brooklyn was on a West Coast swing and had been scheduled to play in the first fan-free game at Chase Center in San Francisco last Thursday against the Golden State Warriors. The Nets instead flew home from San Francisco after the NBA called off all games last Wednesday night, starting with two contests scheduled for that evening.

To date, the Nets’ foursome and two members of the Jazz — All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell — plus Christian Wood of the Detroit Pistons are NBA players known to have tested positive for the virus.

The NBA is on hiatus for at least 30 days and not expected to play again for eight weeks, if not longer.

Source: Manila Bulletin