Many major sporting events have been cancelled
Corona is bringing China to its knees
05/07/2022, 1:48 p.m
China is groaning under the corona pandemic: Several international sporting events are being canceled due to ongoing problems in combating the virus. The country’s zero-Covid policy is forcing cities of millions into lockdowns, the World University, Asian Games and Diamond League competitions are not taking place.
Due to the corona pandemic, the hosting of several international sporting events in China has been put on hold. On Friday, the Asian Games and World University Games planned for this year were canceled due to ongoing problems in fighting the virus. The dates of the Diamond League of track and field athletes and two international triathlon competitions were also cancelled.
The prestigious Asian Games with around 10,000 active participants were to take place in East China’s Hangzhou (September 10-25). From June 26th to July 7th, the World University Games, better known under the former name Universiade, which had already been postponed the previous year, were planned in Chengdu. The reason given in each case was the uncertainty in the face of the pandemic situation. According to the organizers, both events should be rescheduled.
The Diamond League competitions in Shanghai (July 30) and Shenzhen (August 6) have been canceled due to the country’s strict entry and quarantine requirements. The same applies to the station of the Triathlon World Championship series in Chengdu (October 22/23) and the Triathlon World Cup in Weihai (September 24/25).
After the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing at the end of February, China is having increasing difficulties in containing the corona virus. In the past few weeks, media reports about ongoing lockdowns in several megacities such as Shanghai have caused a stir around the world. The Middle Kingdom is pursuing a zero-Covid policy. The associated restrictions, not least with regard to the entry of participants and visitors, were also clearly visible at the Olympic competitions in Beijing.
In Chengdu, the second attempt at the Table Tennis Team World Championships is planned for the last quarter of 2022. The Chinese organizers also had to postpone the original date of the title fights in April shortly after the end of the Winter Games due to the problems with the corona pandemic.