bbc--2020-03-23--Tokyo 2020: Why is Olympic decision taking so long?

Even the Olympics is not immune .
It now seems almost certain that Tokyo 2020 will be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world .
But as the IOC gives itself another four weeks to mull over a delay , what forces are at play behind the biggest peacetime decision world sport has ever seen ?
Why do they need so long to do what most now see as the only option ?
And what will the fallout be ?
On Tuesday afternoon , the British Olympic Association ( BOA ) will add their voice to those demanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call with UK Sport , performance directors , and representatives of TeamGB athletes .
Even an actual withdrawal has not been ruled out , depending on the strength of feeling among participants .
Ben Hawes , chair of the TeamGB athletes ' commission , told BBC Sport he would present a `` strong viewpoint '' that postponement is the only course of action to take , for the health and wellbeing of athletes .
Several National Olympic Committees ( NOCs ) from around the world have already requested a postponement , while Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying they will not send their athletes if it begins this year .
IOC member Dick Pound says postponement `` has been decided '' , and it will most likely be until 2021 , but told USA Today the `` parameters '' have not been finalised , and `` it will come in stages '' .
Both the IOC and the Tokyo 2020 organisers have tried to explain how they need time to consider the undoubted complexity of a delayed Olympics .
On Monday , Tomahiko Taniguchi , special advisor to Japanese Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the BBC that the final solution rests with the IOC .
He said that , given the complexities involved , `` Lausanne must take a few weeks examining scenarios [ for a possible postponement ] but it is not Tokyo 's decision '' .
But there has been significant criticism from athletes , including 200m world champion Dina Asher-Smith , about potentially having to wait another four weeks , and Hawes told BBC Sport this timeframe `` does seem too long '' .
According to well-placed sources , we may now be witnessing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blinks first between the IOC and the Tokyo 2020 organisers , due to the commercial and legal ramifications that could follow such a decision .
Top sports lawyer John Mehrzad QC explains that it will be crucial for litigation purposes who it is that effectively pulls the trigger , because whoever does could open themselves up to potential allegations of breach of the host-city contract .
`` The party that 'cancels ' or 'postpones ' that agreement , unless mutually agreed by the other party , will put itself in breach of contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars ] damages claims , '' he said .
The recipient of any claim could point to the coronavirus pandemic being a `` force majeure '' , or 'Act of God ' - though Mehrzad points out that an insurer would be likely to say it must be impossible for the Games to be staged for such a case to stand .
At present , there is no World Health Organization diktat saying that the Olympics can not be staged .
The IOC has the contractual right to cancel the Games on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any claims for damages by the host city in such an event .
However , the host-city contract does not refer to postponements , and it is understood that the IOC would much rather it was Japan that ultimately took the decision .
The boycotts from certain major NOCs could therefore play a key role in clearing this logjam , because not having the participation of Team Canada and the Australian delegation would make it an incomplete Games .
The IOC and local organisers could say that this has meant it is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schedule , and could provide some protection in the face of any legal cases and insurance claims from the multitude of commercial entities with contracts tied to the event , from broadcasters to sponsors .
While a postponement may be inevitable , organising it will not be simple , and there has been some sympathy for the IOC 's predicament as they seek a solution to an unprecedented challenge that is not of their making .
Ricardo Fort , head of sponsorship at Coca Cola , one of the Olympics ' key commercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is taking the right steps to proper evaluate their options .
Whatever decisions they make , it will be based on facts ( and not on the pressure of any federation ... no matter the federation or country . )
'' Meanwhile , in Japan even though polls show a majority of people now expect a postponement , there will be fears that such a decision , no matter how understandable in the circumstances , will amount to a huge loss of face .
After all , no Olympics has ever been rescheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in wartime .
Both the IOC and Tokyo 2020 organisers have highlighted that postponing a Games that has a budget of £10.8bn ( $ 12.6bn/1.35trillion yen ) comes with `` many , many challenges '' .
In a statement , Tokyo 2020 said : `` As we seek to address this unique situation , close coordination with many partners , including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government , the Government of Japan , Tokyo 2020 marketing partners , broadcasters , suppliers and contractors , will be essential . ''
The IOC , meanwhile , pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nights '' booked in hotels , which may not be available for a rescheduled Games .
There is also the question of whether the Athletes ' Village and other key venues will still be available given pre-agreed deals with private occupiers , and the need to find tenants .
Can Japan really afford for these venues to remain empty for another year ?
Will a new Athletes ' Village need to be built ?
However , some within the Olympic movement fear that by appearing to many to be ponderous and out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with each day that passes , significant damage is being done to the IOC 's brand at a time when it is already concerned about attracting future host cities , and athletes feel left in limbo .
After all , as recently as 4 March in Lausanne following an executive board meeting , Bach remarkably claimed the words 'postponement ' and 'cancellation ' had not even been mentioned during discussions .
Given the relentless speed of the outbreak , that seemed at best naive and at worst downright negligent to some .
Maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partners loathe to even contemplate a change of plan .
Almost certainly a Plan B was in fact being discussed but to many it gave the impression of a sports body in an ivory tower and in denial .
And it may be that the IOC now has to dip into its significant reserves to help bail out the many international sports federations that depend on financial handouts thanks to the £5bn revenues generated from each Olympic cycle , and which now looks set to be delayed by a year .
Some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impact of this shock .
But others will not and could face a worrying future .
Several athletes have been keen to stress that they are the key stakeholders in an Olympics and the previous messaging from the IOC to keep preparing as normal risked putting them and their families at risk .
The competitor-led movement Global Athlete has called for a postponement , saying `` athletes do not have the ability to appropriately prepare for these Games and their health and safety must come first '' .
Before tomorrow 's conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope is that we 'll come out of tomorrow with a much clearer picture and a consistent picture across athlete feeling and sentiment as well as the sports , the BOA and UK Sport as an organisation .
`` From what I 've heard so far , everyone is pretty much in agreement with the fact that this now really starting to challenge athletes , both mentally and physically , and we need to have a solution .
`` The solution wo n't come until the IOC makes the decision but the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most critical stakeholders at this point , which is the athletes , the better .
We will be going into it with a strong viewpoint which we have been talking to the BOA about for many weeks now . ''
When asked to clarify if the position from the Athletes ' Commission was one in favour of a postponement , he said : `` Yes I believe that for the health and wellbeing of our athletes we have to have some clarity on a postponement , even if it that needs time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When could it be moved to ?
There is no clear consensus on when the Games should be moved to , mainly due to each sport having its own calendar to consider , and the continued uncertainty surrounding when the pandemic may ease .
The example of the Euros being pushed back almost exactly a year could be followed , and currently appears the most likely .
The Australian Olympic Committee ( AOC ) telling its athletes to prepare for a 2021 Games could be particularly telling , given the AOC President John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coordination Commission for Tokyo .
A 12-month delay of the Olympics would clash with the World Athletics Championships in Eugene , Oregon , which are scheduled to run from 6-15 August 2021 .
World Athletics has already been in touch with the organisers , who have given assurances that they will look for alternative dates if that proves necessary .
The Championships would n't necessarily need to be pushed back by a year - one option could be bringing it forward by a few months .
The Women 's Rugby World Cup will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August .
Alternatively , the Games could be postponed to later in 2020 , when it would be cooler .
The Olympics have been held in autumn before , and the last Tokyo Olympics , in 1964 , were held in October , and the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee told an IOC teleconference last week that rescheduling to October was `` practical and reasonable '' .
But it would then clash with the European football season and major US sports .
And with US media giant NBC being one of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay of a year looks most likely .
Amid the staggering collapse of the global sporting calendar in recent weeks , the Tokyo Games is the last to fall .
But this is no mere sports championships .
It is a multi-billion pound mega-event that , as we have seen repeatedly , places a huge economic strain on its hosts .
This explains perhaps why there is currently something of a dance going on between those at the top table .
Each party is waiting for the other to make the move , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safest , and least financially and reputationally damaging , solution .
It may not take four weeks , though .
With pressure mounting , do not be surprised if the plug is pulled much sooner .

Could the sun be setting on the 2020 Olympic Games?
Even the Olympics is not immune. It now seems almost certain that Tokyo 2020 will be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world.
But as the IOC gives itself another four weeks to mull over a delay, what forces are at play behind the biggest peacetime decision world sport has ever seen? Why do they need so long to do what most now see as the only option? And what will the fallout be?
On Tuesday afternoon, the British Olympic Association (BOA) will add their voice to those demanding a postponement, following an emergency conference call with UK Sport, performance directors, and representatives of TeamGB athletes.
Even an actual withdrawal has not been ruled out, depending on the strength of feeling among participants.
Ben Hawes, chair of the TeamGB athletes' commission, told BBC Sport he would present a "strong viewpoint" that postponement is the only course of action to take, for the health and wellbeing of athletes.
Several National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from around the world have already requested a postponement, while Canada and Australia have gone further still by saying they will not send their athletes if it begins this year.
IOC member Dick Pound says postponement "has been decided", and it will most likely be until 2021, but told USA Today the "parameters" have not been finalised, and "it will come in stages".
Both the IOC and the Tokyo 2020 organisers have tried to explain how they need time to consider the undoubted complexity of a delayed Olympics.
On Monday, Tomahiko Taniguchi, special advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet, told the BBC that the final solution rests with the IOC.
He said that, given the complexities involved, "Lausanne must take a few weeks examining scenarios [for a possible postponement] but it is not Tokyo's decision".
But there has been significant criticism from athletes, including 200m world champion Dina Asher-Smith, about potentially having to wait another four weeks, and Hawes told BBC Sport this timeframe "does seem too long".
'A game of chicken'?
According to well-placed sources, we may now be witnessing a 'game of chicken' over who blinks first between the IOC and the Tokyo 2020 organisers, due to the commercial and legal ramifications that could follow such a decision.
Top sports lawyer John Mehrzad QC explains that it will be crucial for litigation purposes who it is that effectively pulls the trigger, because whoever does could open themselves up to potential allegations of breach of the host-city contract.
"The party that 'cancels' or 'postpones' that agreement, unless mutually agreed by the other party, will put itself in breach of contract and expose itself to huge [billions of dollars] damages claims," he said.
The recipient of any claim could point to the coronavirus pandemic being a "force majeure", or 'Act of God' - though Mehrzad points out that an insurer would be likely to say it must be impossible for the Games to be staged for such a case to stand.
At present, there is no World Health Organization diktat saying that the Olympics cannot be staged.
The IOC has the contractual right to cancel the Games on safety grounds, and is protected from any claims for damages by the host city in such an event.
However, the host-city contract does not refer to postponements, and it is understood that the IOC would much rather it was Japan that ultimately took the decision.
The boycotts from certain major NOCs could therefore play a key role in clearing this logjam, because not having the participation of Team Canada and the Australian delegation would make it an incomplete Games.
The IOC and local organisers could say that this has meant it is no longer possible to proceed with the current schedule, and could provide some protection in the face of any legal cases and insurance claims from the multitude of commercial entities with contracts tied to the event, from broadcasters to sponsors.
Unprecedented and unquantifiable
While a postponement may be inevitable, organising it will not be simple, and there has been some sympathy for the IOC's predicament as they seek a solution to an unprecedented challenge that is not of their making.
Ricardo Fort, head of sponsorship at Coca Cola, one of the Olympics' key commercial partners, said: "The IOC is taking the right steps to proper evaluate their options. Whatever decisions they make, it will be based on facts (and not on the pressure of any federation... no matter the federation or country.)"
Meanwhile, in Japan even though polls show a majority of people now expect a postponement, there will be fears that such a decision, no matter how understandable in the circumstances, will amount to a huge loss of face. After all, no Olympics has ever been rescheduled. The only cancelled Games have occurred in wartime.
Both the IOC and Tokyo 2020 organisers have highlighted that postponing a Games that has a budget of £10.8bn ($12.6bn/1.35trillion yen) comes with "many, many challenges".
In a statement, Tokyo 2020 said: "As we seek to address this unique situation, close coordination with many partners, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Government of Japan, Tokyo 2020 marketing partners, broadcasters, suppliers and contractors, will be essential."
The IOC, meanwhile, pointed out that there have been "millions of nights" booked in hotels, which may not be available for a rescheduled Games. There is also the question of whether the Athletes' Village and other key venues will still be available given pre-agreed deals with private occupiers, and the need to find tenants. Can Japan really afford for these venues to remain empty for another year? Will a new Athletes' Village need to be built?
However, some within the Olympic movement fear that by appearing to many to be ponderous and out of touch with athletes' concerns, with each day that passes, significant damage is being done to the IOC's brand at a time when it is already concerned about attracting future host cities, and athletes feel left in limbo.
After all, as recently as 4 March in Lausanne following an executive board meeting, Bach remarkably claimed the words 'postponement' and 'cancellation' had not even been mentioned during discussions.
Given the relentless speed of the outbreak, that seemed at best naive and at worst downright negligent to some. Maybe Bach's hands were tied by Japanese partners loathe to even contemplate a change of plan. Almost certainly a Plan B was in fact being discussed but to many it gave the impression of a sports body in an ivory tower and in denial.
And it may be that the IOC now has to dip into its significant reserves to help bail out the many international sports federations that depend on financial handouts thanks to the £5bn revenues generated from each Olympic cycle, and which now looks set to be delayed by a year. Some of these federations will have insurance to mitigate the impact of this shock. But others will not and could face a worrying future.
The athlete voice
Several athletes have been keen to stress that they are the key stakeholders in an Olympics and the previous messaging from the IOC to keep preparing as normal risked putting them and their families at risk.
The competitor-led movement Global Athlete has called for a postponement, saying "athletes do not have the ability to appropriately prepare for these Games and their health and safety must come first".
Before tomorrow's conference call, Hawes said: "My hope is that we'll come out of tomorrow with a much clearer picture and a consistent picture across athlete feeling and sentiment as well as the sports, the BOA and UK Sport as an organisation.
"From what I've heard so far, everyone is pretty much in agreement with the fact that this now really starting to challenge athletes, both mentally and physically, and we need to have a solution.
"The solution won't come until the IOC makes the decision but the more pressure that can come on from the most critical stakeholders at this point, which is the athletes, the better. We will be going into it with a strong viewpoint which we have been talking to the BOA about for many weeks now."
When asked to clarify if the position from the Athletes' Commission was one in favour of a postponement, he said: "Yes I believe that for the health and wellbeing of our athletes we have to have some clarity on a postponement, even if it that needs time to understand when that might be."
When could it be moved to?
There is no clear consensus on when the Games should be moved to, mainly due to each sport having its own calendar to consider, and the continued uncertainty surrounding when the pandemic may ease.
The example of the Euros being pushed back almost exactly a year could be followed, and currently appears the most likely.
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) telling its athletes to prepare for a 2021 Games could be particularly telling, given the AOC President John Coates is chair of the IOC's Coordination Commission for Tokyo.
A 12-month delay of the Olympics would clash with the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, which are scheduled to run from 6-15 August 2021.
World Athletics has already been in touch with the organisers, who have given assurances that they will look for alternative dates if that proves necessary.
The Championships wouldn't necessarily need to be pushed back by a year - one option could be bringing it forward by a few months.
Alternatively, the Games could be postponed to later in 2020, when it would be cooler.
The Olympics have been held in autumn before, and the last Tokyo Olympics, in 1964, were held in October, and the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee told an IOC teleconference last week that rescheduling to October was "practical and reasonable".
But it would then clash with the European football season and major US sports.
And with US media giant NBC being one of the most important voices in these discussions, a delay of a year looks most likely.
Amid the staggering collapse of the global sporting calendar in recent weeks, the Tokyo Games is the last to fall. But this is no mere sports championships. It is a multi-billion pound mega-event that, as we have seen repeatedly, places a huge economic strain on its hosts.
This explains perhaps why there is currently something of a dance going on between those at the top table.
Each party is waiting for the other to make the move, while also trying to figure out the safest, and least financially and reputationally damaging, solution.
It may not take four weeks, though. With pressure mounting, do not be surprised if the plug is pulled much sooner.


bbc--2020-03-23--Olympics to be postponed to 2021, says IOC member Pound

The 2020 Olympic Games will be postponed by one year because of coronavirus , says International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound .
It comes after the chairman of the British Olympic Association said Great Britain would be unlikely to send a team to Tokyo this summer .
Australia and Canada have already said they will not compete in Japan .
`` On the basis of the information the IOC has , postponement has been decided , '' Pound told USA today .
`` The parameters going forward have not been determined , but the Games are not going to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know . ''
The International Olympic Committee has given itself four weeks to decide on the future of this summer 's Games , but veteran IOC member Pound says a decision will be announced soon .
`` It will come in stages , '' he said .
`` We will postpone this and begin to deal with all the ramifications of moving this , which are immense . ''
'We will be joining Canada and Australia' Canada and Australia had already announced their decision to withdraw from this summer 's Games when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hugh Robertson , said he expected Britain to be `` joining shortly '' .
`` We ca n't see any way that this can go ahead as things are constituted , '' said Robertson .
`` I expect we will be joining Canada and Australia shortly . ''
As of Sunday , there had been 5,683 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United Kingdom , with 281 deaths .
The UK government has urged the public to follow advice on social distancing , with MPs debating stricter measures to ensure people comply .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis '' I think it is very simple .
If the virus continues as predicted by the government , I do n't think there is any way we can send a team , '' Robertson told Sky Sports News .
`` First , I do n't see any way that the athletes and Team GB could be ready by then .
Elite training facilities are perfectly understandably and quite correctly closed around the country , so there is no way they could undertake the preparation they need to get ready for a Games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriateness of holding an Olympic Games at a time like this .
We are actually in a process where we are talking to all our sports .
We will complete that over the next couple of days .
`` We have already said to the IOC ( International Olympic Committee ) that we think their four-week pause is absolutely the right thing to do . ''
On Sunday , Canada became the first major country to withdraw from this summer 's Olympics and Paralympics .
The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committee said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pull out after consulting athletes , sports groups , and the government .
It then `` urgently called '' on the IOC , the International Paralympic Committee and the World Health Organization to postpone the Games for a year .
`` It 's clear the Games ca n't be held in July , '' Australia chef de mission Ian Chesterman said on Monday .
`` Our athletes have been magnificent in their positive attitude to training and preparing , but the stress and uncertainty has been extremely challenging for them . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ its `` scenario planning '' .
The cancellation of the Tokyo 2020 , due to run from 24 July to 9 August , is `` not on the agenda '' , but a `` scaled-down '' Games is also being considered .
Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe told his country 's parliament on Monday that a postponement would be unavoidable if the event can not be held in a complete way .
World Athletics president Lord Coe has called for this summer 's Olympic Games in Tokyo to be postponed .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coe says an Olympics in July 2020 is `` neither feasible or desirable '' because of the coronavirus crisis .
In his letter to Bach , which followed a conference call between himself and area presidents of the Olympic federations , Briton Coe said : `` No-one wants to see the Olympic Games postponed but , as I have said publicly , we can not hold the event at all costs , certainly not at the cost of athlete safety .
`` A decision on the Olympic Games must become very obvious very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come and we owe it to our athletes to give them respite where we can . ''
In his letter , the double Olympic 1500m champion listed three main reasons for delaying the 2020 Games : • Competition fairness - `` Every one of my area presidents believes that we can no longer expect a fair and level playing field in our sport given the number of athletes who are struggling to train in various countries due to measures put in place to reduce the spread of coronavirus . ''
• Risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to train properly now we both know , as we have both been there , they will push themselves even harder closer to an Olympic Games , which will increase the propensity for injury . ''
• Emotional wellbeing of athletes - `` The uncertainty of the Olympic Games happening in July and the inherent desire and motivation to excel that resides in all our athletes is causing real anguish that we can , collectively , put a stop to . ''
The subject of athlete welfare was also highlighted by Japanese Olympic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters on Monday that too long of a delay to Tokyo 2020 would be a burden to athletes preparing for the games .
In his own letter , addressed to athletes and published on Sunday , Bach said the IOC is `` in a dilemma '' and `` a final decision about the date of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 now would still be premature '' .
The German added that to postpone the Games `` is an extremely complex challenge '' and that a cancellation would `` destroy the Olympic dream of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a postponement , Bach warned : `` A number of critical venues needed for the Games could potentially not be available any more .
`` The situations with millions of nights already booked in hotels is extremely difficult to handle , and the international sports calendar for at least 33 Olympic sports would have to be adapted .
These are just a few of many , many more challenges . ''
UK Athletics , its US counterpart , and several national Olympic governing bodies have urged the IOC in recent days to delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacted sporting events around the world

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are due to take placed from 24 July to 9 August
The 2020 Olympic Games will be postponed by one year because of coronavirus, says International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound.
It comes after the chairman of the British Olympic Association said Great Britain would be unlikely to send a team to Tokyo this summer.
Australia and Canada have already said they will not compete in Japan.
"On the basis of the information the IOC has, postponement has been decided," Pound told USA today external-link .
"The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the Games are not going to start on 24 July, that much I know."
The International Olympic Committee has given itself four weeks to decide on the future of this summer's Games, but veteran IOC member Pound says a decision will be announced soon.
"It will come in stages," he said.
"We will postpone this and begin to deal with all the ramifications of moving this, which are immense."
'We will be joining Canada and Australia'
Canada and Australia had already announced their decision to withdraw from this summer's Games when the chairman of the British Olympic Association, Hugh Robertson, said he expected Britain to be "joining shortly".
"We can't see any way that this can go ahead as things are constituted," said Robertson. "I expect we will be joining Canada and Australia shortly."
As of Sunday, there had been 5,683 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United Kingdom, with 281 deaths.
The UK government has urged the public to follow advice on social distancing, with MPs debating stricter measures to ensure people comply.
"I think it is very simple. If the virus continues as predicted by the government, I don't think there is any way we can send a team," Robertson told Sky Sports News.
"First, I don't see any way that the athletes and Team GB could be ready by then. Elite training facilities are perfectly understandably and quite correctly closed around the country, so there is no way they could undertake the preparation they need to get ready for a Games.
"Secondly, there is the appropriateness of holding an Olympic Games at a time like this. We are actually in a process where we are talking to all our sports. We will complete that over the next couple of days.
"We have already said to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) that we think their four-week pause is absolutely the right thing to do."
On Sunday, Canada became the first major country to withdraw from this summer's Olympics and Paralympics.
The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committee said it had taken "the difficult decision" to pull out after consulting athletes, sports groups, and the government.
It then "urgently called" on the IOC, the International Paralympic Committee and the World Health Organization to postpone the Games for a year.
"It's clear the Games can't be held in July," Australia chef de mission Ian Chesterman said on Monday.
"Our athletes have been magnificent in their positive attitude to training and preparing, but the stress and uncertainty has been extremely challenging for them."
The IOC has said postponement is in its "scenario planning". The cancellation of the Tokyo 2020, due to run from 24 July to 9 August, is "not on the agenda", but a "scaled-down" Games is also being considered.
Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe told his country's parliament on Monday that a postponement would be unavoidable if the event cannot be held in a complete way.
'Neither feasible or desirable'
The 2020 Summer Olympic Games are still scheduled to start in July.
World Athletics president Lord Coe has called for this summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo to be postponed.
In a letter to IOC president Thomas Bach, Coe says an Olympics in July 2020 is "neither feasible or desirable" because of the coronavirus crisis.
In his letter to Bach, which followed a conference call between himself and area presidents of the Olympic federations, Briton Coe said: "No-one wants to see the Olympic Games postponed but, as I have said publicly, we cannot hold the event at all costs, certainly not at the cost of athlete safety.
"A decision on the Olympic Games must become very obvious very quickly. I believe that time has come and we owe it to our athletes to give them respite where we can."
In his letter, the double Olympic 1500m champion listed three main reasons for delaying the 2020 Games:
Competition fairness - "Every one of my area presidents believes that we can no longer expect a fair and level playing field in our sport given the number of athletes who are struggling to train in various countries due to measures put in place to reduce the spread of coronavirus."
Risk of injury - "If athletes are unable to train properly now we both know, as we have both been there, they will push themselves even harder closer to an Olympic Games, which will increase the propensity for injury."
Emotional wellbeing of athletes - "The uncertainty of the Olympic Games happening in July and the inherent desire and motivation to excel that resides in all our athletes is causing real anguish that we can, collectively, put a stop to."
The subject of athlete welfare was also highlighted by Japanese Olympic Committee president Yasuhiro Yamashita, who told reporters on Monday that too long of a delay to Tokyo 2020 would be a burden to athletes preparing for the games.
In his own letter, addressed to athletes and published on Sunday, Bach said the IOC is "in a dilemma" and "a final decision about the date of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 now would still be premature".
The German added that to postpone the Games "is an extremely complex challenge" and that a cancellation would "destroy the Olympic dream of 11,000 athletes".
In terms of a postponement, Bach warned: "A number of critical venues needed for the Games could potentially not be available any more.
"The situations with millions of nights already booked in hotels is extremely difficult to handle, and the international sports calendar for at least 33 Olympic sports would have to be adapted. These are just a few of many, many more challenges."
UK Athletics, its US counterpart, and several national Olympic governing bodies have urged the IOC in recent days to delay the Games.


bbc--2020-03-23--Coronavirus: Uefa postpones European club finals

Uefa could authorise one-legged knockout matches for some Champions League and Europa League ties after postponing the finals of all this season 's major competitions .
With European football suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic , there was no possibility of the competitions reaching their scheduled conclusion at the end of May .
It is still hoped to play the respective finals on 27 June and 24 June , potentially at the end of mini tournaments to be played in Istanbul and Gdansk .
The Women 's Champions League final - originally scheduled for 24 May - has also been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these matches taking place though and work is now being undertaken to try to work out a formula that would allow the competitions to reach a conclusion .
One obvious difficulty is that matches in the men 's competitions are at different stages and countries may be allowed to restart professional football at different times .
In the Champions League , four last-16 ties have been concluded , while the second legs of the other four are still to take place .
In the Europa League , six first-leg ties have been played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hard to see Uefa ruling out the second legs of ties that have already started , they may be willing to let the ones that have not - both involving Spanish sides playing Italian ones - be decided by a single game , with the venue to be decided by the toss of a coin .
Quarter-finals and semi-finals could also be played over a single game .
It has already been agreed that European club matches could be played on a weekend and it is also understood there is no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the last club game of the season , raising the possibility of the qualifying rounds for the 2020-21 tournament beginning before the major leagues have concluded .

The Champions League final had been scheduled for 30 May
Uefa could authorise one-legged knockout matches for some Champions League and Europa League ties after postponing the finals of all this season's major competitions.
With European football suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, there was no possibility of the competitions reaching their scheduled conclusion at the end of May.
It is still hoped to play the respective finals on 27 June and 24 June, potentially at the end of mini tournaments to be played in Istanbul and Gdansk.
The Women's Champions League final - originally scheduled for 24 May - has also been postponed.
There is no guarantee of these matches taking place though and work is now being undertaken to try to work out a formula that would allow the competitions to reach a conclusion.
One obvious difficulty is that matches in the men's competitions are at different stages and countries may be allowed to restart professional football at different times.
In the Champions League, four last-16 ties have been concluded, while the second legs of the other four are still to take place. In the Europa League, six first-leg ties have been played but two remain outstanding.
While it is hard to see Uefa ruling out the second legs of ties that have already started, they may be willing to let the ones that have not - both involving Spanish sides playing Italian ones - be decided by a single game, with the venue to be decided by the toss of a coin.
Quarter-finals and semi-finals could also be played over a single game.
It has already been agreed that European club matches could be played on a weekend and it is also understood there is no longer any imperative for the Champions League to be the last club game of the season, raising the possibility of the qualifying rounds for the 2020-21 tournament beginning before the major leagues have concluded.


bbc--2020-03-23--Azerbaijan Grand Prix postponed because of coronavirus

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix , due to take place on 7 June , has been postponed as a result of the coronavirus crisis .
The street race in Baku is the eighth race to be called off at the start of the 2020 World Championship season .
Race organisers said they would work closely with F1 `` with a view to announcing a new date later in 2020 '' .
The Canadian Grand Prix on 14 June is also in doubt after Canada became the first country to pull out of this summer 's Olympic Games in Tokyo .
F1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he expected `` the season to start at some point this summer , with a revised calendar of between 15-18 races '' .
The 2020 schedule originally contained a record 22 races but the coronavirus crisis has thrown the season into disarray .
Seven Grands Prix - Australia , Bahrain , Vietnam , China , the Netherlands , Spain and Azerbaijan - have been postponed while Monaco has been cancelled altogether .
Carey said he was expecting a wholesale reordering of the schedule and an end to the season later than originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be certain of exactly when the situation will improve , it will improve , '' he said .
`` When it does , we 'll be ready to go racing again .
We are all committed to bringing our fans a 2020 championship season .
`` We recognise there 's significant potential for additional postponements in currently scheduled events .
`` As previously announced , we will utilise the summer break being brought forward to March/April , to race during the normal summer break period .
`` And [ we ] anticipate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our original end date of 27-29 November , with the actual sequence and schedule dates for races differing significantly from our original 2020 calendar .
`` It is not possible to provide a more specific calendar now due to the fluidity of the current situation .
But we expect to gain clearer insights to the situation in each of our host countries , as well as the issues related to travel to these countries , in the coming month . ''
F1 has in the past week made a series of changes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible shape once racing can resume .
In addition to the removal of the summer break , teams have waived their extensive consultation rights on the calendar , and the major regulation change planned for 2021 has been postponed until 2022 .
F1 has accepted that all current dates may have to change as they seek to re-establish a schedule later in the year .
And changes to the format of race weekends can be expected as F1 seeks to cram as many Grands Prix as possible into whatever time it has .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ days of track action to two .

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is run on the streets of Baku
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, due to take place on 7 June, has been postponed as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
The street race in Baku is the eighth race to be called off at the start of the 2020 World Championship season.
Race organisers said they would work closely with F1 "with a view to announcing a new date later in 2020".
The Canadian Grand Prix on 14 June is also in doubt after Canada became the first country to pull out of this summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo.
F1 chairman Chase Carey said in a statement that he expected "the season to start at some point this summer, with a revised calendar of between 15-18 races".
The 2020 schedule originally contained a record 22 races but the coronavirus crisis has thrown the season into disarray.
Seven Grands Prix - Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam, China, the Netherlands, Spain and Azerbaijan - have been postponed while Monaco has been cancelled altogether.
Carey said he was expecting a wholesale reordering of the schedule and an end to the season later than originally planned.
"While at present no-one can be certain of exactly when the situation will improve, it will improve," he said. "When it does, we'll be ready to go racing again. We are all committed to bringing our fans a 2020 championship season.
"We recognise there's significant potential for additional postponements in currently scheduled events.
"As previously announced, we will utilise the summer break being brought forward to March/April, to race during the normal summer break period.
"And [we] anticipate the season end date will extend beyond our original end date of 27-29 November, with the actual sequence and schedule dates for races differing significantly from our original 2020 calendar.
"It is not possible to provide a more specific calendar now due to the fluidity of the current situation. But we expect to gain clearer insights to the situation in each of our host countries, as well as the issues related to travel to these countries, in the coming month."
F1 has in the past week made a series of changes to try to put itself in the best possible shape once racing can resume.
In addition to the removal of the summer break, teams have waived their extensive consultation rights on the calendar, and the major regulation change planned for 2021 has been postponed until 2022.
F1 has accepted that all current dates may have to change as they seek to re-establish a schedule later in the year.
And changes to the format of race weekends can be expected as F1 seeks to cram as many Grands Prix as possible into whatever time it has. This could include reducing the normal three days of track action to two.


bbc--2020-03-23--Which players make your Premier League Hall of Fame?

The Premier League has featured some of the world 's best players since it began in 1992 .
But who should be the first two inductees when it launches its Hall of Fame ?
With the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo , Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero ineligible as they are still playing , we 've put together a pretty handy list of 10 players with a strong case to be included .
Some legends miss out - you may well think Paul Scholes or Eric Cantona should make the list , for example - but we 've attempted to balance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major honours won .
But who would you pick ?
Have a look below and then rank the 10 in the order in which you think they should be inducted into the Hall of Fame , with your preferred selections for the initial intake as numbers one and two .
Touted as the `` next Bobby Moore '' after graduating from West Ham 's youth system , Ferdinand made a record-breaking £18m move to Leeds and then impressed on England 's run to the quarter-finals in the 2002 World Cup in Japan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ him head to Manchester United in 2002 , where a trophy-laden spell began .
His ability to read the game , coupled with speed and athleticism , helped United win six Premier League titles between 2002 and 2014 before he departed for a season at QPR .
His career was not without controversy , most notably an eight-month ban for missing a drugs test .
Did you know ?
Ferdinand scored more than once against just one Premier League side , netting three goals versus Liverpool .
There were times during Steven Gerrard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as though the midfielder was propelling the club forward on his own .
Often played on the right in his early Anfield days , Gerrard became the ultimate box-to-box central midfielder who was capable of inspiring those around him .
Blessed with superb stamina , a powerful shot and excellent crossing ability , he scored 120 goals in 504 top-flight appearances and is sixth on the Premier League 's all-time list for assists .
Did you know ?
Gerrard has been directly involved in more Premier League goals for Liverpool than any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Second on the all-time appearance list , Ryan Giggs is the competition 's most decorated player with 13 Premier League titles .
The division 's original wing wizard , Giggs ' early career was characterised by his searing pace , trickery and his ability to get up and down the left touchline .
His later years saw him modify his game as a central midfielder , where he showcased his ability to pick a pass .
Giggs is the only player to play in each of the first 22 seasons of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to score in each of the first 21 campaigns .
He holds the record for the most assists in Premier League history , was awarded an OBE in 2007 and was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2009 .
Did you know ?
Giggs assisted a Premier League goal for 45 different team-mates during his Premier League career , more than any other player in the competition .
Arsenal fans were still perplexed by the sale of French forward Nicolas Anelka to Real Madrid when his compatriot Thierry Henry arrived at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After struggling to make an impact for Juventus in Serie A - albeit he was largely played as a winger - few would have guessed that the Gunners ' £11m signing was going to become one of the best forwards in their history , if not arguably the best the Premier League has seen .
Possessing lightning pace , superb dribbling skills and a predatory eye for goal , Henry flourished in a central role and as many a Premier League defender would testify , was unplayable on his day .
Did you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him the highest-scoring overseas player in Premier League history - until Aguero overtook him this season .
Roy Keane had already earned a reputation as a fiercely competitive midfielder at Nottingham Forest before he joined Manchester United in 1993 for a then British-record transfer fee of £3.75m .
A key component of two Double-winning sides , the Republic of Ireland international was thrust into the role of captain after Eric Cantona 's sudden retirement in 1997 and was instrumental in United 's Treble-winning season in 1998-99 .
Keane was feared and respected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of skills and qualities ensured he was regarded as a world-class midfielder and as one of United 's greatest captains .
Did you know ?
Despite leaving Old Trafford 15 years ago , only four players have won more matches with United in the Premier League than Keane - Giggs ( 407 ) , Paul Scholes ( 321 ) , Gary Neville ( 256 ) and Wayne Rooney ( 250 ) .
While Frank Lampard had started to make a name for himself at West Ham , it was not until after his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he became recognised as one of the Premier League 's top midfielders .
An ever-present in the side that claimed Chelsea 's first top-flight title for 50 years during the 2004-05 campaign , Lampard 's ability to drive forward and shoot accurately from distance brought him goals and adoration alike , with former manager Jose Mourinho once calling him the `` best midfielder in the world '' .
A Champions League winner in 2012 , Lampard 's enduring ability took him to Manchester City and New York City before he brought the curtain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Did you know ?
Lampard has scored against a record 39 different Premier League clubs While the signing of Eric Cantona from Leeds is often cited as the masterstroke from Sir Alex Ferguson that transformed Manchester United into the Premier League 's first dominant force , the acquisition of Schmeichel , from Brondby - for a little over £500,000 - was arguably just as important .
Big , strong and supremely reliable , Schmeichel 's powerful and accurate throw contributed to many a Premier League goal for the Reds , while his trademark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of certain goals at the other end of the pitch .
Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers ever , Schmeichel won five Premier League titles in his eight-year career at United before leaving for Sporting Lisbon and then spending a season each at Aston Villa and Manchester City at the end of his career .
Did you know ?
In 1994-95 , Schmeichel became the first goalkeeper to record 20 clean sheets in a Premier League season , a total that would n't be broken until 2004-05 by Petr Cech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of goals alone , Alan Shearer has no Premier League equal .
The English forward scored 260 in 441 games for Blackburn and Newcastle between 1992 and 2006 .
During his career , Shearer made two record-breaking British transfers .
His £3.6m move from Southampton to Blackburn took place in the summer prior to the Premier League beginning and helped Rovers break the hold of the big-city clubs to become champions in 1994-95 .
In the summer of 1996 he joined hometown club Newcastle in a record-breaking £15m move and he is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PFA Players ' Player of the Year award more than once .
While he was unable to add any further winners ' medals to his collection while in the north east , he scored a deluge of memorable goals and became a legend for the Toon Army .
Did you know ?
In 1993-94 , Shearer 's goals were worth 32 points to Blackburn Rovers - a record for a player in a single Premier League campaign .
Captain , leader , legend .
John Terry was the rock at the heart of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 19 years .
He made his first-team debut in 1998 and went on to play 492 Premier League games for the club .
His passing ability , excellent positional play and bravery more than made up for any lack of pace and he had already established himself as a leader before Jose Mourinho appointed him as his captain .
He rewarded the Portuguese by leading the Blues to successive Premier League titles between 2004 and 2006 .
Three more would follow before he made an emotional departure from Stamford Bridge in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Villa in the Championship .
Did you know ?
Terry ( 2014-15 ) is one of only four outfield players to feature in every minute of a title-winning season in the Premier League , alongside Gary Pallister in 1992-93 , Wes Morgan in 2015-16 and Cesar Azpilicueta in 2016-17 .
Patrick Vieira is another example of a player who had underwhelmed during a brief spell in Serie A but then went on to become an Arsenal legend .
While AC Milan were unable , and unaware , of just how to accommodate Vieira @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight into central midfield , where he formed a formidable partnership with fellow Frenchman Emmanuel Petit .
A ruthless midfield enforcer , Vieira 's talent of breaking up attacks and scoring at the other end was critical as the Gunners claimed a Premier League and FA Cup double in 1997-98 .
Inheriting the captaincy from Tony Adams in 2002 , he went on to lead the side that went unbeaten through a 38-game Premier League season to win the title in 2003-04 .
Did you know ?
No player has been sent off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( eight - level with Duncan Ferguson and Richard Dunne ) .

So many great players but only two spots up for grabs...
The Premier League has featured some of the world's best players since it began in 1992.
So picking the first two inductees when it launches its Hall of Fame isn't exactly the easiest job.
That's why we asked you to get involved by ranking your favourites from a shortlist drawn up by BBC Sport. And you did exactly that, with almost 80,000 of you taking part.
So who did you select? We asked you to rank the 10 in the order in which you thought they should be inducted into the Hall of Fame, with your preferred selections for the initial intake as numbers one and two.
You can see the results below.
You can still play along at the bottom of the page but the vote is now closed.
The two inductees selected are:
Clubs: Manchester United
Unsurprisingly Ryan Giggs - the Premier League's most decorated player with 13 Premier League titles and 632 appearances to his name - heads your list.
The division's original wing wizard, Giggs' early career was characterised by his searing pace, trickery and his ability to get up and down the left touchline. His later years saw him modify his game as a central midfielder, where he showcased his ability to pick a pass.
Second on the all-time appearance list, Giggs is the only player to play in each of the first 22 seasons of the Premier League and the only one to score in each of the first 21 campaigns.
He holds the record for the most assists in Premier League history, was awarded an OBE in 2007 and was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2009.
Did you know? Giggs assisted a Premier League goal for 45 different team-mates during his Premier League career, more than any other player in the competition.
Clubs: Blackburn, Newcastle
On sheer weight of goals alone, Alan Shearer has no Premier League equal.
And he comes second on your list after scoring 260 of them in 441 games for Blackburn and Newcastle between 1992 and 2006.
During his career, Shearer made two record-breaking British transfers. His £3.6m move from Southampton to Blackburn took place in the summer prior to the Premier League beginning and helped Rovers break the hold of the big-city clubs to become champions in 1994-95. In the summer of 1996 he joined hometown club Newcastle in a record-breaking £15m move and he is one of only five players to win the PFA Players' Player of the Year award more than once.
While he was unable to add any further winners' medals to his collection while in the north east, the former England forward scored a deluge of memorable goals and became a legend for the Toon Army.
Did you know? In 1993-94, Shearer's goals were worth 32 points to Blackburn Rovers - a record for a player in a single Premier League campaign.
Here's how you ranked the other shortlisted players'
Clubs: Arsenal
Arsenal fans were still perplexed by the sale of French forward Nicolas Anelka to Real Madrid when his compatriot Thierry Henry arrived at Highbury in the summer of 1999.
After struggling to make an impact for Juventus in Serie A - albeit he was largely played as a winger - few would have guessed that the Gunners' £11m signing was going to become one of the best forwards in their history, if not arguably the best the Premier League has seen.
Possessing lightning pace, superb dribbling skills and a predatory eye for goal, Henry flourished in a central role and as many a Premier League defender would testify, was unplayable on his day.
Did you know? Henry's 175 goals made him the highest-scoring overseas player in Premier League history - until Aguero overtook him this season.
Clubs: West Ham, Chelsea & Manchester City
While Frank Lampard had started to make a name for himself at West Ham, it was not until after his £11m move to Chelsea in 2001 that he became recognised as one of the Premier League's top midfielders.
An ever-present in the side that claimed Chelsea's first top-flight title for 50 years during the 2004-05 campaign, Lampard's ability to drive forward and shoot accurately from distance brought him goals and adoration alike, with former manager Jose Mourinho once calling him the "best midfielder in the world".
A Champions League winner in 2012, Lampard's enduring ability took him to Manchester City and New York City before he brought the curtain down on his 21-year professional career.
Did you know? Lampard has scored against a record 39 different Premier League clubs.
Clubs: Liverpool
There were times during Steven Gerrard's 17-year Liverpool career when it appeared as though the midfielder was propelling the club forward on his own.
Often played on the right in his early Anfield days, Gerrard became the ultimate box-to-box central midfielder who was capable of inspiring those around him.
Blessed with superb stamina, a powerful shot and excellent crossing ability, he scored 120 goals in 504 top-flight appearances and is sixth on the Premier League's all-time list for assists.
Did you know? Gerrard has been directly involved in more Premier League goals for Liverpool than any other player (120 goals, 92 assists).
Clubs: Nottingham Forest & Manchester United
Roy Keane had already earned a reputation as a fiercely competitive midfielder at Nottingham Forest before he joined Manchester United in 1993 for a then British-record transfer fee of £3.75m.
A key component of two Double-winning sides, the Republic of Ireland international was thrust into the role of captain after Eric Cantona's sudden retirement in 1997 and was instrumental in United's Treble-winning season in 1998-99.
Keane was feared and respected by team-mates and opponents alike and his range of skills and qualities ensured he was regarded as a world-class midfielder and as one of United's greatest captains.
Did you know? Despite leaving Old Trafford 15 years ago, only four players have won more matches with United in the Premier League than Keane - Giggs (407), Paul Scholes (321), Gary Neville (256) and Wayne Rooney (250).
Clubs: Manchester United, Aston Villa & Manchester City
While the signing of Eric Cantona from Leeds is often cited as the masterstroke from Sir Alex Ferguson that transformed Manchester United into the Premier League's first dominant force, the acquisition of Schmeichel, from Brondby - for a little over £500,000 - was arguably just as important.
Big, strong and supremely reliable, Schmeichel's powerful and accurate throw contributed to many a Premier League goal for the Reds, while his trademark "starfish" saves kept out a number of certain goals at the other end of the pitch.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers ever, Schmeichel won five Premier League titles in his eight-year career at United before leaving for Sporting Lisbon and then spending a season each at Aston Villa and Manchester City at the end of his career.
Did you know? In 1994-95, Schmeichel became the first goalkeeper to record 20 clean sheets in a Premier League season, a total that wouldn't be broken until 2004-05 by Petr Cech (24).
Clubs: Chelsea
Captain, leader, legend. John Terry was the rock at the heart of the Chelsea defence for the best part of 19 years. He made his first-team debut in 1998 and went on to play 492 Premier League games for the club.
His passing ability, excellent positional play and bravery more than made up for any lack of pace and he had already established himself as a leader before Jose Mourinho appointed him as his captain.
He rewarded the Portuguese by leading the Blues to successive Premier League titles between 2004 and 2006. Three more would follow before he made an emotional departure from Stamford Bridge in 2017 - dropping down to play for Aston Villa in the Championship.
Did you know? Terry (2014-15) is one of only four outfield players to feature in every minute of a title-winning season in the Premier League, alongside Gary Pallister in 1992-93, Wes Morgan in 2015-16 and Cesar Azpilicueta in 2016-17.
Clubs: Arsenal, Manchester City
Patrick Vieira is another example of a player who had underwhelmed during a brief spell in Serie A but then went on to become an Arsenal legend.
While AC Milan were unable, and unaware, of just how to accommodate Vieira in their line-up, Wenger slotted him straight into central midfield, where he formed a formidable partnership with fellow Frenchman Emmanuel Petit.
A ruthless midfield enforcer, Vieira's talent of breaking up attacks and scoring at the other end was critical as the Gunners claimed a Premier League and FA Cup double in 1997-98.
Inheriting the captaincy from Tony Adams in 2002, he went on to lead the side that went unbeaten through a 38-game Premier League season to win the title in 2003-04.
Did you know? No player has been sent off in more Premier League games than Vieira (eight - level with Duncan Ferguson and Richard Dunne).
Clubs: West Ham, Leeds, Manchester United & Queens Park Rangers
Touted as the "next Bobby Moore" after graduating from West Ham's youth system, Ferdinand made a record-breaking £18m move to Leeds and then impressed on England's run to the quarter-finals in the 2002 World Cup in Japan.
Another record-breaking fee (£30m) saw him head to Manchester United in 2002, where a trophy-laden spell began. His ability to read the game, coupled with speed and athleticism, helped United win six Premier League titles between 2002 and 2014 before he departed for a season at QPR.
His career was not without controversy, most notably an eight-month ban for missing a drugs test.
Did you know? Ferdinand scored more than once against just one Premier League side, netting three goals versus Liverpool.


bbc--2020-03-23--Many fighters will be forced to leave boxing - Hearn

Many fighters will be forced to leave boxing because of the impacts of the coronavirus crisis , promoter Eddie Hearn has warned .
On Monday , the British Boxing Board of Control extended the suspension of events until May and a number of major fights have already been cancelled - and Hearn expects many boxers to have to get different jobs in the future .
`` The coronavirus is going to have a massive impact on every business , particularly boxing , '' Hearn told the BBC Radio 5 Live Boxing podcast .
`` If this drags on to September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have fighters that have not boxed this year .
`` The fighters at the top end are going to be fine but the fighters coming through , small hall fighters , ones starting their careers or those who do not have a sponsorship deal face big concerns .
`` They will have to give up the sport of boxing and get a job and that 's heartbreaking for someone trying to live their dreams .
`` If there are no events , the companies are not making money and the athletes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see a lot of fighters have to give up the sport of boxing at a lower level because there 's no income.
`` 'No chance of these Olympics taking place' Hearn , whose Matchroom Boxing company promotes world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and also produces shows around the world , feels these are uncertain times for every sport .
`` We do not want people to leave the sport , we want the more fighters the better , '' said Hearn .
`` But look at the Olympics , these people have grafted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fight in Tokyo .
`` There 's no chance of these Olympics taking place so what are they going to do ?
Everything is going to be a complete reshuffle of every sport .
`` The Premier League moving back four months affects next season , the Euros have been cancelled , what will happen to the Olympic cycle ?
What will happen with our shows ?
`` We 're delaying events in place and fighters are delaying their time to peak and earn , everyone is holding their breath to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now is do as people say .
`` We hope to return to action in late or mid summer but no-one knows . ''
'Some sports will not recover' Hearn believes boxing will `` 100 % survive '' , but not all the businesses or promoters connected with the sport will .
He said : `` If you do n't run a sustainable business very quickly this is going to unfold on you like a ton of bricks .
`` Things have gathered momentum and it 's been changing to worrying about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - that 's when the other stuff plays second fiddle .
`` You realise the severity of this and it 's about life and death rather than just running a business .
`` It 's heartbreaking to see every sport suffer and some sports will never recover , some businesses will never recover but more importantly some people will never recover .
When that 's an issue everything stops and everything becomes insignificant .
`` We will beat this , we must do as we 're told but there will still be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and this economy . ''
Having to be creative to survive The impacts of the coronavirus pandemic have already seen Hearn cancel fights involving Sunderland welterweight Josh Kelly and also Newcastle lightweight Lewis Ritson .
Matchroom has major shows scheduled for 2 May in Manchester ( Dillian Whyte v Alexander Povetkin - heavyweight ) , 9 May in Cardiff ( Lee Selby v George Kambosos Jr - world lightweight title eliminator ) and 23 May in London ( Oleksandr Usyk v Dereck Chisora - heavyweight ) .
`` Everything has been moving non-stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it [ coronavirus ] first happened we looked into running shows behind closed doors , we spoke to the BBBofC they said the concern was the doctors would not be available , we might not get into the hospitals and it became a non-starter .
`` We tried to create television shows , talkshows , but as it became more serious , this became impossible .
`` It 's about being creative , producing new content , new shows and having to consider the idea of studio shows and behind-closed-doors shows once the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the big arenas do .
`` We have to make sure any fighter we have who is financially struggling is taken care of but we 're lucky that a lot of fighters might have a monthly wage from us , a sponsorship deal or have earned enough money to be OK for four or five months .
`` The ones lower down the scale are in big problems because they do not know when then are going to be fighting .
This is a problem so deep , not just for fighters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players , snooker players , footballers starting out , cricketers .
`` With the situation with the government and statutory pay , fighters ca n't go to the government and get 80 % of their salary that does not exist . ''
Joshua is due to defend his world titles against against Kubrat Pulev on 20 June at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium , although Hearn has already said this could be moved back to July because Tottenham may be still playing Premier League matches then .
Asked whether , if the Pulev fight was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in the winter , Hearn replied : `` Right now our plan is to fight Pulev in June or July then fight Fury or whoever holds the WBC belt at the time .
`` If the Pulev fight ca n't take place we may end up seeing that fight [ against Fury ] happen later this year .
`` It would n't be ideal for AJ boxing in December to have been out for a whole year going into a fight like that but I do n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Boxing in Britain has been suspended until at least May
Many fighters will be forced to leave boxing because of the impacts of the coronavirus crisis, promoter Eddie Hearn has warned.
On Monday, the British Boxing Board of Control extended the suspension of events until May and a number of major fights have already been cancelled - and Hearn expects many boxers to have to get different jobs in the future.
"The coronavirus is going to have a massive impact on every business, particularly boxing," Hearn told the BBC Radio 5 Live Boxing podcast.
"If this drags on to September, October, November, December we will have fighters that have not boxed this year.
"The fighters at the top end are going to be fine but the fighters coming through, small hall fighters, ones starting their careers or those who do not have a sponsorship deal face big concerns.
"They will have to give up the sport of boxing and get a job and that's heartbreaking for someone trying to live their dreams.
"If there are no events, the companies are not making money and the athletes are not getting prize money. We will see a lot of fighters have to give up the sport of boxing at a lower level because there's no income. "
'No chance of these Olympics taking place'
Hearn, whose Matchroom Boxing company promotes world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and also produces shows around the world, feels these are uncertain times for every sport.
"We do not want people to leave the sport, we want the more fighters the better," said Hearn.
"But look at the Olympics, these people have grafted for four years to achieve their dream and fight in Tokyo.
Only three days of action at the Olympic boxing qualifying event were able to take place before it was suspended last week
"There's no chance of these Olympics taking place so what are they going to do? Everything is going to be a complete reshuffle of every sport.
"The Premier League moving back four months affects next season, the Euros have been cancelled, what will happen to the Olympic cycle? What will happen with our shows?
"We're delaying events in place and fighters are delaying their time to peak and earn, everyone is holding their breath to see how long this lasts - the message right now is do as people say.
"We hope to return to action in late or mid summer but no-one knows."
'Some sports will not recover'
Hearn believes boxing will "100% survive", but not all the businesses or promoters connected with the sport will.
He said: "If you don't run a sustainable business very quickly this is going to unfold on you like a ton of bricks.
"Things have gathered momentum and it's been changing to worrying about your business to worrying about your family - that's when the other stuff plays second fiddle.
"You realise the severity of this and it's about life and death rather than just running a business.
Matchroom Boxing promote shows around the world
"It's heartbreaking to see every sport suffer and some sports will never recover, some businesses will never recover but more importantly some people will never recover. When that's an issue everything stops and everything becomes insignificant.
"We will beat this, we must do as we're told but there will still be a future for this country, this sport and this economy."
Having to be creative to survive
The impacts of the coronavirus pandemic have already seen Hearn cancel fights involving Sunderland welterweight Josh Kelly and also Newcastle lightweight Lewis Ritson.
Matchroom has major shows scheduled for 2 May in Manchester (Dillian Whyte v Alexander Povetkin - heavyweight), 9 May in Cardiff (Lee Selby v George Kambosos Jr - world lightweight title eliminator) and 23 May in London (Oleksandr Usyk v Dereck Chisora - heavyweight).
British heavyweight Dillian Whyte is yet to fight in 2020 and is scheduled to be in action in May
"Everything has been moving non-stop," added Hearn. "When it [coronavirus] first happened we looked into running shows behind closed doors, we spoke to the BBBofC they said the concern was the doctors would not be available, we might not get into the hospitals and it became a non-starter.
"We tried to create television shows, talkshows, but as it became more serious, this became impossible.
"It's about being creative, producing new content, new shows and having to consider the idea of studio shows and behind-closed-doors shows once the coast is clear - that may happen before the big arenas do.
"We have to make sure any fighter we have who is financially struggling is taken care of but we're lucky that a lot of fighters might have a monthly wage from us, a sponsorship deal or have earned enough money to be OK for four or five months.
"The ones lower down the scale are in big problems because they do not know when then are going to be fighting. This is a problem so deep, not just for fighters starting their career but also for darts players, snooker players, footballers starting out, cricketers.
"With the situation with the government and statutory pay, fighters can't go to the government and get 80% of their salary that does not exist."
Will Joshua fight Fury next?
Joshua is due to defend his world titles against against Kubrat Pulev on 20 June at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, although Hearn has already said this could be moved back to July because Tottenham may be still playing Premier League matches then.
Asked whether, if the Pulev fight was cancelled, Joshua would then fight WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in the winter, Hearn replied: "Right now our plan is to fight Pulev in June or July then fight Fury or whoever holds the WBC belt at the time.
"If the Pulev fight can't take place we may end up seeing that fight [against Fury] happen later this year.
"It wouldn't be ideal for AJ boxing in December to have been out for a whole year going into a fight like that but I don't think he would have a problem with it."


bbc--2020-03-23--What is shielding and what is it meant to do?

More than a million people most at risk of needing hospital treatment if they catch coronavirus are being asked to stay at home for at least 12 weeks .
This `` shielding '' is to protect lives , with those affected being written to over the next couple of days .
Why do it ?
Cases of coronavirus are increasing rapidly in the UK , which suggests it is circulating in the community and spreading from person to person .
While everyone is being advised to keep their distance from other people to help stop the spread , some people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even more precautions to protect themselves .
Who should do it ?
Those most at risk , who include : • Some people with cancer who are undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy • Women who are pregnant and have heart disease • Some people with rare diseases such as severe combined immunodeficiency Anyone in this highest risk category who has not received a letter from the NHS by Sunday 29 March 2020 or been contacted by their doctor should get in touch with their GP or hospital doctor by phone or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elderly people , although they are strongly advised to practice social distancing and only go out if really necessary .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• CONTAINMENT : What it means to self-isolate • HEALTH MYTHS : The fake advice you should ignore Experts strongly advise people with serious underlying health conditions to follow the advice .
If this applies to you , shielding is for your personal protection - it is your choice to decide whether to follow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discuss this .
What does it entail ?
It means staying at home at all times .
You should not go out to shop or go for a walk in public places - it is fine to go into your garden if you have one .
You should avoid any face-to-face contact , so that means no visitors .
Visits from people who provide you essential healthcare and personal support are fine .
Carers and care workers should stay away if they have any of the symptoms of coronavirus and anyone coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clean by washing with soap and water .
What about any people I live with ?
They do not need to shield themselves but must make sure they follow recommendations to shield you .
They should also stringently follow the guidance on social distancing .
They should also keep some physical distance ( two metres ) from you and keep to a minimum the time spent in shared spaces such as the kitchen , bathroom and lounge .
Shared spaces should be kept well ventilated - open a window .
If you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the rest of the household , and also make sure you use separate towels .
If you share a toilet and bathroom , make sure they are cleaned after every use .
Consider drawing up a rota for bathing , with you using the facilities first .
Use the kitchen when others are not in there and take your meals back to your room to eat .
Coronavirus is spread through droplets ( from coughs and sneezes ) , so do not share cutlery or crockery , unless it is clean .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Soap or washing up liquid and water gets rid of the virus too .
Keep surfaces that are frequently touched clean - door handles , taps and handrails .
What about my medicine and food ?
Communities Minister Robert Jenrick said parcels of food , which would be free initially , and medicines would be delivered to those affected via community hubs .
The Treasury will cover the cost and in time hope to refine the scheme so it is `` more tailored to individuals ' needs '' .
How long will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 weeks from the day you receive the recommendation .
You will be contacted again if the advice is updated .
What should I do if I get a cough or fever ?
These are symptoms of coronavirus .
It does not mean that you definitely have it , but you should contact the NHS 111 online coronavirus service or call NHS 111 or your doctor .
Do this as soon as you get symptoms .
Do not visit the GP , pharmacy , urgent care centre or hospital .
In an emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill. Other tips to stay safe and well Keep physically active by exercising indoors or in your garden if that 's possible .
Look after your mental wellbeing .
Stay in touch with friends on the phone , by post or online .
Prepare a hospital bag just in case - this should include your emergency contact , a list of medicines you take and any information on your planned care appointments as well as things you would need for an overnight stay , such as a toothbrush and pyjamas .
From Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support with food , shopping and deliveries and additional care .

However, if you are at higher risk of becoming ill, it says you may wish to "think particularly carefully" about taking extra precautions when meeting others you do not usually meet, including:


bbc--2020-03-24--Coronavirus: Trump wants US open for business amid pandemic

As a growing number of states issue `` shelter in place '' orders , businesses shutter and Americans everywhere are told to limit outings and practise social distancing , Donald Trump may be having second thoughts .
For more than a week , Trump administration officials and state leaders have been talking of the need to `` bend the curve '' of the coronavirus outbreak , limiting the spread of the illness to prevent the American healthcare system from being overwhelmed .
The steep economic toll , however , is becoming increasingly apparent .
Last week Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
On Thursday the Treasury Department will release last week 's new jobless claims , and the numbers are sure to be in the millions .
A Goldman Sachs report estimated that the nation 's gross domestic product in the second quarter could shrink by 24 % , dwarfing the previous 10 % record decline in 1958 .
But at Monday 's White House coronavirus news conference , the president said : `` America will again and soon be open for business . ''
In the late hours of Sunday night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WE CAN NOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF , '' he tweeted , using the all-caps he reserves for matters of apparent urgency .
`` AT THE END OF THE 15 DAY PERIOD , WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO ! ''
The 15-day period the president referenced began on 16 March , when the White House announced new Centers for Disease Control guidelines encouraging all Americans to work from home when possible and limit gatherings of more than 10 people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's tweet may have been prompted by watching a segment on Fox News .
On Sunday evening , host ( and former advisor to then-British PM David Cameron ) Steve Hilton warned that an economic collapse would itself result in avoidable deaths and other hardships - that the `` cure '' could be worse than the `` disease '' .
`` Our ruling class and their TV mouthpieces whipping up fear over this virus , they can afford an indefinite shutdown , '' Hilton said .
`` Working Americans ca n't .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump 's faithful may be inching back to the view they held a few weeks ago , that the virus is being used by the president 's political enemies to damage his political standing by damaging the economy .
On Monday morning the president continued on this theme , with a flurry of retweets of accounts ( some with only a few hundred followers ) who were calling for Americans to be allowed to return to work after the 15-day period ended .
Former top Trump economic advisor Gary Cohn also joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Is it time to start discussing the need for a date when the economy can turn back on ? ''
he asked on Twitter .
`` Policymakers have taken bold public health and economic actions to address the coronavirus , but businesses need clarity .
Otherwise they will assume the worst and make decisions to survive . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• STRESS : How to protect your mental health • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak This conclusion among conservatives is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Bannon , a former senior Trump campaign and White House staffer who has repeatedly fallen in and out of favour with the president , advocated for a `` hammer '' style imposition of rigorous separation .
`` Drop the hammer , do n't mitigate the virus , do n't spread the curve , shatter the curve , '' he said during a Fox News morning interview .
`` Go full hammer on the virus right now with a full shutdown , use the stimulus to bridge the economic crisis . ''
Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president 's ear , issued his own warning , garnished with a bit of praise .
`` President Trump 's best decision was stopping travel from China early on , '' he writes .
`` I hope we will not undercut that decision by suggesting we back off aggressive containment policies within the United States . ''
Graham somewhat misrepresented the administration 's 31 January order that only limited entry by non-US-resident foreign nationals who had been in China in the previous two weeks , but the move has been touted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early to deal with the spread of the virus .
Meanwhile , others in the Trump administration continue to stress the need for rigorous social distancing - which suggests that there could be growing divisions between medical professionals in the administration and those whose focus on the economic impact .
• US plans to pay Americans as part of $ 1tn stimulus • A visual guide to the economic impact of coronavirus On Monday morning , for instance , Surgeon General Jerome Adams warned that the worst was yet to come .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , it 's going to get bad , '' he said in a television interview .
`` And right now there are not enough people out there who are taking this seriously . ''
Any move by the administration to ease guidelines could also set up a clash with state governors , a growing number of whom are moving toward greater , not lesser , restrictions on movement and gatherings .
One of the much-touted strengths of the US federalist system of government is it allows states - the so-called `` laboratories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own policies and solutions to pressing political concerns .
That system has never been tested quite like this , however , as some governors warn of the risks of a patchwork response to a national health crisis The president underlined this potential for conflict in a tweet on Sunday afternoon swiping at Illinois Governor JB Pritzker , who had earlier criticised the administration 's coronavirus response .
@ JBPritzker , Governor of Illinois , and a very small group of certain other Governors , together with Fake News @ CNN & Concast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blaming the Federal Government for their own shortcomings , '' he wrote .
`` We are there to back you up should you fail , and always will be ! ''
The president , it appears , is being pulled in multiple directions and , as he often does , is airing his internal dialogue on Twitter .
At his press conference on Monday , he seemed to be tilting away from his medical advisers .
`` If it were up to the doctors , they may say let 's keep it shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire world , '' he said .
`` You ca n't do that with a country - especially the No .
1 economy anywhere in the world . ''
He has described himself as a `` wartime president '' doing battle against the spread of this virus , but he 's also spent much of the past year building a November re-election campaign around the claim that he has presided over record economic growth and low unemployment - both of which seem to be evaporating .
• Trump to deploy National Guard in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking at this as a president whose re-election could hinge on an economic rebound , he is also a businessman watching his life 's work - his empire of resorts , hotels and golf courses , some of which were reportedly already in financial trouble - face an existential crisis .
`` At a certain point , we have to get open and have to get moving , '' Trump said on Monday , referring to the US economy .
`` We do n't want to lose these companies , we do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to take care of our workers , so we 'll be doing something I think relatively quickly . ''
The three-plus years of Trump 's administration have already had enough turmoil and drama - much of it self-created - to fill an entire two terms .
The coronavirus outbreak is a presidency-defining crisis , however - one that , barring the kind of miracle treatment Trump has at times hoped for , appears to offer options that range from bad to worse .

One of the much-touted strengths of the US federalist system of government is it allows states - the so-called "laboratories of democracy" - freedom to devise their own policies and solutions to pressing political concerns. That system has never been tested quite like this, however, as some governors warn of the risks of a patchwork response to a national health crisis


bbc--2020-03-24--Trump says coronavirus not Asian Americans' fault

US President Donald Trump - under fire for labelling Covid-19 the `` Chinese virus '' - has said Asian Americans should not be blamed for the outbreak .
He said it is `` very important that we totally protect '' Asian Americans , whom he praised as `` amazing people '' .
Mr Trump spoke out amid rising reports of verbal and physical attacks on the community amid the pandemic .
Coronavirus is still spreading in the US , which currently has more than 43,000 confirmed cases and 533 deaths .
At a White House coronavirus task force news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It is very important that we totally protect our Asian American community in the United States and all around the world .
• Strict new curbs on life in UK announced by PM • US-China contagion : The battle behind the scenes '' They 're amazing people and the spreading of the virus is not their fault in any way , shape or form .
`` They 're working closely with us to get rid of it - we will prevail together . ''
Asked by a reporter why he had spoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It seems that there could be a little bit of nasty language toward the Asian Americans in our country and I do n't like that at all .
`` These are incredible people , they love our country and I 'm not going to let it happen . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• STRESS : How to protect your mental health • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak During press conferences last week , Mr Trump used the term `` China virus '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggestions from reporters that the term was racist .
`` It comes from China , '' Mr Trump said then .
`` It 's not racist at all . ''
The World Health Organization has issued guidance against `` stigmatising certain communities '' when naming illnesses .
US lawmaker Judy Chu - a California Democrat and chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus - was not impressed by Mr Trump 's remarks .
She told NBC News his comments would not `` be necessary if he and his supporters had not already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ xenophobia '' .
In describing Covid-19 as the `` Chinese virus '' , Mr Trump has been accused of attempting to deflect scrutiny for his domestic handling of the crisis on to external factors .
Despite mounting criticism from China and Asian Americans , the president and several high-ranking US officials have continued to use the term .
Other than potentially stigmatising Asian-Americans , Mr Trump 's `` Chinese virus '' label could turn out to be a self-inflicted wound in the 2020 presidential election .
Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent surveys , the community 's voters have increasingly leaned Democratic in the past few years , and they are becoming influential in electoral battleground districts .
Even as he lavished praise on Asian Americans on Monday , the president was accused of breaking fences , rather than mending them .
`` They [ Asian Americans ] are working closely with us to get rid of it [ virus ] , '' he tweeted , leading some observers to take offence at the `` they/us '' dichotomy .
What 's the latest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain announced a national lockdown to combat the virus , Mr Trump announced : `` America will again and soon be open for business . ''
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo appeared to suggest the president was putting the country 's economic well-being ahead of its public health , tweeting : `` You can not put a value on human life . ''
• Trump wants US open for business despite pandemic The US is currently in the middle of 15 days of social distancing .
Despite the president 's signal that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by state the nation was tightening lockdown measures .
On Monday , Washington , Ohio , Louisiana , Oregon , Michigan , Indiana and Massachusetts became the latest to issue `` stay at home '' orders for residents .
Wisconsin , Delaware and New Mexico will follow suit on Tuesday , taking the total number of states withdrawing behind closed doors to well over a dozen .
These orders will affect about one in three Americans - more than 100 million people .
Maryland stopped short on Monday of a `` stay at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states that have closed all non-essential businesses .
Neighbouring Virginia closed schools for the rest of the academic year .
The US now has the third highest number of cases in the world , behind Italy and China .
Half of America 's total caseload is in New York state , which has recorded more than 20,000 positive tests and 157 deaths .
US National Guard troops are helping to distribute food and medical supplies across the country .
The homeland military force 's leader , General Joseph Lengyel , described the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurricanes hitting every state '' .
As state officials clamour for aid , Defence Secretary Mark Esper on Monday said the US military `` ca n't meet everybody 's needs '' .
Mr Esper said the Pentagon was working to send field hospitals to support the hard-hit cities of New York and Seattle .
On Monday , the top US public health official , Surgeon General Dr Jerome Adams , said : `` I want America to understand this week it 's going to get bad . ''
He noted on the NBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignoring guidance to practise social distancing .
The University of Tampa in Florida said that at least five students who ignored social distancing advice to party on spring break had since tested positive for Covid-19 .
A man from Phoenix , Arizona , is dead and his wife is in a critical condition after the couple ingested chloroquine phosphate - a substance used to clean fish tanks that is similar to a drug touted by President Trump as a possible treatment for coronavirus .
Chloroquine is approved by the US Food and Drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not authorised as a medication for Covid-19 .

Asked by a reporter why he had spoken out, Mr Trump said: "It seems that there could be a little bit of nasty language toward the Asian Americans in our country and I don't like that at all.


bbc--2020-03-24--US tech giants team up to tackle coronavirus

Amazon is teaming up with researchers funded by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to pick up and deliver coronavirus test kits .
The Gates Foundation-backed Seattle Coronavirus Assessment Network ( SCAN ) is learning how the infection spreads .
It involves collecting nasal swabs to track the virus among residents of Seattle 's King County in Washington .
Amazon Care , the retail giant 's employee medical care arm , is now helping with deliveries of the kits .
King County is one of the places hardest hit by the outbreak in the US .
SCAN , a group of medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is trying to find out how the infection is spreading in different parts of society , with an aim to seeing how the outbreak is likely to develop .
Amazon Care will assist the work by delivering test kits to people 's homes and then picking them up for researchers .
If the virus is detected , the participant will then be put in touch with healthcare workers .
“ We are grateful to be surrounded by a strong community of public health , global health and academic leaders and are eager to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logistics capabilities to support this local effort , ” an Amazon spokesman said .
The partnership could help improve coronavirus testing in the US as it lags behind other countries in getting people checked for the virus .
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday reported 33,453 cases of coronavirus in the country .
That 's an increase of 18,185 cases from its previous count , while the death toll almost doubled to 400 .
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation along with research charity Wellcome and Mastercard 's Impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) in funding to develop treatments for the coronavirus .
Earlier this month , Mr Gates announced he was stepping down from Microsoft 's board to focus on his philanthropic efforts .

SCAN, a group of medical, public health and research organisations, is trying to find out how the infection is spreading in different parts of society, with an aim to seeing how the outbreak is likely to develop.