What’s next in line for possible coronavirus postponement
Paris, Thursday
The coronavirus pandemic has decimated the 2020 sporting calendar, with the Tokyo Olympics and football’s European Championship the biggest events to be postponed, while Wimbledon was cancelled for the first time since World War II.
Canadian Grand Prix
Scheduled date: June 14
- The earliest the Formula One season can get underway is in Montreal on June 14 after the opening eight races of the campaign were all either postponed or cancelled.
A decision on a potential delay will be made by Easter weekend (April 11-12), according to race organisers.
Formula One and Silverstone chiefs also said they have until the end of April to decide whether to postpone the British Grand Prix, scheduled for July 19.
F1 chairman Chase Carey said last month that he still expects the season to start in the summer with a revised calendar of “15-18 races”.
US Open (golf)
Scheduled dates: June 18-21
- The 120th US Open at Winged Foot is due to be the first men’s major of the golf season after the postponements of both the Masters and the PGA Championship.
But American media reports earlier this week said that the tournament in Mamaroneck, New York, was likely to be put back until later in the summer.
The course was closed last week, since when the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States has passed 100,000, over 44,000 of them in New York state.
Tour de France
Scheduled dates: June 27-July 19
- The Tour de France is still scheduled to start in Nice on June 27, despite France having extended its lockdown until April 15.
Sports minister Roxana Maracineanu on Wednesday said that the world’s most prestigious cycling race, which usually draws more than 10 million fans to the roadsides, could take place with no spectators. But she also admitted that all options, including cancellation, are being considered.
British Open
Scheduled dates: July 16-19
British media reported on Friday said that the British Open at Royal St George’s could be postponed within days.
Over 200,000 spectators are due to attend the tournament in Sandwich.
A delay could have a knock-on effect on the rest of the golf calendar, with space at a premium after the postponements of the PGA and the Masters.
It is highly unlikely that the 149th Open could be held later than September due to the weather, but a delay until next year would impact plans to hold the 150th edition at St Andrews. -AFP
