"Omicron" enters the field

What sports competitions will be postponed or canceled due to a new strain

Coronavirus in the person of Omcrone continues to bring its own rules to world sport. The skaters have already lost the final of the Grand Prix in Japan, and students-the Universiade in Lucerne. Matches in the English Premier League and NHL are canceled. There is a “chance” that the hockey Olympic tournament in Beijing will be held without the participation of the best cluser of the planet.

There is such a saying: the match will take place in any weather. It is no secret that even during various wars there were separate games. However, there was no antidote in 2020 against the Chinese infection in 2020. The European Football Championship and the Olympics in Tokyo were transferred to 12 months. The world hockey and figure skating championships did not take place, and another fifty traditional sports competitions - from aerobics to yacht battles - were put down in a long box. The final of the Champions League - 2020 sent to Portugal, and he went in absolute silence.

It seemed that in the year of the White Metal Bull, the situation was getting better. The fire of the summer games in Japan was successfully lit, and the spotlight of the continent took place in 11 cities even with spectators. However, closer to the end of autumn, the pandemic winds swayed the earth's ship with renewed vigor, hitting mass events of all stripes. So, the Covid-19 and its fresh strains again began to put the footboards of athletically configured citizens.

And the organizers of two large tournaments were hung out sad signs with the inscriptions of “cancellation”.

The country of the rising sun gave the ice to the skaters from the ice, depriving the fans of the Grand Prix finals-one of the most rated winter competitions. Moreover, the disassembly was canceled, as they say, meet. Students from all over the world, who were supposed to defend their “knowledge” in Lucerne, did not receive “offset”, since Switzerland had restrictions on tourists from several countries where Omicron was discovered. At the same time, it should be noted that all participants already had hotels and tickets for airplanes. “We are devastated and very sorry that we will not be able to accept athletes who were so preparing for this anniversary, XXX Universiade. But these are realities, ”the president of the organizing committee Gvido Graf apologized.

The woke -up Koronovirus hit the Premier League, where this week 9 fights crossed out of the schedule. Moreover, in order to avoid a blow to the economy and image, the managers carry not all matches that are very annoyed by those who, despite the outbreak of the disease within the team, did not receive a delay. So, the team of Roman Abramovich, where the seven main players passed a positive test, still had to go to the battle with the almost healthy “Wolvermpton”. And the Chelsea coach Thomas Tukhel, who hardly gained the fighters from the survivors for the application, at the press conference was indignant: "We care about the health of the players, but the league, apparently, does not bother all this."

Many agree with Tukhel. Yes, and the bosses do not hide what they think about money: for showing the 20 most delicious New Year and Christmas matches, Amazon pays 30 million pounds. In addition, in a dense English calendar of free dates for shifting performances, in fact, does not exist. And the Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp, who recently declared that the “Mersisiders” will not conclude contracts with unevaculated wizards of the ball, expressed one more unpopular opinion: “If the season is suspended, then I will take it normally.” By the way, in the Premier League, according to the latest data, about 70 percent of residents are vaccinated. And this is an “honorable” last place among all European top-leagues.

However, even in the NHL, where the harsh knights vaccinations do not actually sabotage, the picture is currently depressing. African Omicron circles the stars even on ice. 11 festive meetings between clubs in the USA and Canada will not take place. Detroit, where the Russian five once shone, and completely went to quarantine until December 27 in full force. In total, under the threat of a breakdown of about 40 battles. Yes, doctors and the trade union spoke out in the spirit that it makes no sense to close the bench, and gave the go -ahead to continue the banquet, but everything could change at any moment. In 2020, sports leaders also thought to go around the infection on one skate ...

But the main thing that is now worried about the fans is the decision of the NHL on Beijing.

Politicians of the USA and Canada, as you know, announced a boycott to Chinese rings. Of course, the low actions of people in ties do not prohibit athletes from these states in February next year to be in the Middle Kingdom. But the rapid deterioration of the covid situation in the National Hockey League with a high degree of probability can “protect” Ovechkin, Malkin, Crosby and McDavid from the Olympic Fair and thereby send a cool goal to a sad offside (the official statement from NHL cartridges is waiting no later than the environment).

However, one cannot exclude the fact that Omicron will eventually slow down the games-2022 whole ...