Significant restrictions on international sports began in March: first, they only reduced the number of spectators and then gradually made matches in many sports a closed goalkeeper.
Competitions have been postponed due to uncertainty: the Formula 1 season, which began in March, began in July, road bike tours have been postponed for three weeks to the fall, and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced 900 races at a new time. The playoffs in the major American leagues were interrupted and then completed in the so-called bubble, and the knockout match was replaced by the Football Champions League in August.
There were also sports that decided to cancel tournaments:
- For the first time since World War II, no tennis tournament has been held At WimbledonAnd the
- Lagged behind the 2020 adult World Hockey ChampionshipAnd the
- One of the most interesting esports competitions, A. Fortnite World CupAnd the
- For the first time since 1945, it lagged behind American National Spelling Contest.
However, with strict epidemiological regulations and measures in place, competitions continued / resumed in many sports. Wearing masks and disinfection has also become commonplace in sports, but empty stands still offer an unusual sight. In our gallery below, we show how the sports world has adapted to the Coronavirus epidemic.
Sad scene: Due to the coronavirus epidemic, ticket offices will also remain closed. Pictured is the drop-down shutters of a cashier at Mestalla Stadium in Valencia before the UEFA Champions League group match against Atalanta. (Photo: NurPhoto / Getty Images Hungary)
There can’t be fans on the stadium, but outside there. Pictured, Italian second-division drivers gathered in Venice on the street next to the track to cheer on their favorites in the Anti-Crotone Championship in March 2020. (Photo: NurPhoto / Getty Images Hungary)
In the fall, there were countries where austerity measures began to be relaxed. In Germany, for example, stadiums have been partially opened. Pictured are Hertha BSC fans cheering on their favorites at the VfB Stuttgart. (Photo: Stephanie Luce / AFP)
In soccer balls are disinfected before and during matches. Pictured is the ball being handled prior to the Paraguay Olympics and the Ecuadorian dolphin clash. (Photo: Norberto Duarte / AFP)
There was no crowd on the field for closed goalkeeper matches, but the accomplished strikers had found a solution. Pictured is Bolivian fans watching the national team’s World Cup qualifying match against Argentina from the rooftop of a house in La Paz. (Photo: Juan Carreta / AFP)
Another example of the partial opening of the stadium: Some fans of the Portuguese club Braga were able to watch the Europa League group match against AEK Athens at the municipality’s stadium. (Photo: Miguel Riuba / AFP)
Tennis players also took care to keep their distance, and the end of the match was replaced by touching the paddles. In the photo, Yelena Ostapenko “hits” with Karolina Pleskova after the match. (Photo: Martin Bureau / AFP)
Another scene that has become commonplace due to the coronavirus pandemic: staff cleaning up stadiums instead of security men. Since the wards are empty, fewer security personnel are needed, but more and more disinfection / cleaning personnel are needed to protect against the epidemic. (Photo: Silvio Avila / AFP)
Swiss Alpine skier Justin Moriser poses with a mask on the stage. Strict epidemiological measures have been taken, including wearing masks, in sporting events that continue despite the Coronavirus. (Photo: Andreas Solaro / AFP)
A unique solution is found for the empty stands in Denver: For the Broncos US soccer team’s match against Tampa Bay Buccaneers, characters from the South Park animated series sat in the hall. By the way, 5,700 fans were able to immediately squeeze into the meeting. (Photo: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Hungary)
Rafael Nadal serves on Roland Garros at Philippe Chatrier Stadium. The Spanish tennis player “The King of Slag” plays in front of a full house, especially in the Slug Grand Slam tournament in Paris, which he won 13 times in his career. (Photo: Martin Bureau / AFP)
Four professional golfers, including Rory McIlroy, walk a Florida course, following the distance rule. (Photo: Mike Ehrman / Getty Images Hungary)
It has become popular in recent months, but at the same time a very sad sight: an empty stadium. Pictured is the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo before the World Cup qualifiers between Uruguay and Brazil. (Photo: Raul Martinez / AFP)
Athletes also try to set an example for the world. Formula 1 riders pose as usual at year-end in Abu Dhabi, stay about a meter and a half away, and of course wear a mask. (Photo: Brian Lennon / AFP)
In most sports, the usual hugging of a goal’s pleasure (of course not quite, actually …) has been replaced by a fist or elbow. In the photo, Borussia Dortmund players Thurgan Hazade and Julian Brandt celebrate with a goal. (Photo: Martin Meissner / AFP)
Disinfection is also an important point in protecting against coronavirus. Pictured is a worker disinfecting the stands at Akron Stadium before the Mexican soccer match between Guadalajara and Nicaxa. (Photo: Ulises Ruiz / AFP)
The mascot of the Brazilian national team, Canarinho, cannot receive anyone this time, as the hall is empty in the Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo ahead of the World Cup qualifiers for Brazil and Venezuela. (Photo by André Benner / AFP)
