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Tokyo 2020 postponement looks increasingly likely; Jurgen Klopp entitled to his say

The Morning Sports Briefing: Keep ahead of the game with ‘The Irish Times’ sports team

A decision on the Tokyo Olympics being postponed this summer due to the coronavirus outbreak will be made within four weeks. Photograph: PA
A decision on the Tokyo Olympics being postponed this summer due to the coronavirus outbreak will be made within four weeks. Photograph: PA
Mon Mar 23 2020 - 08:01

It's looking increasingly likely that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be postponed after the IOC yesterday gave themselves four weeks to make a decision on the future of the Games. With athletes, teams, and federations calling for its postponement amid the Covid-19 outbreak, the IOC's executive board are now exploring new "scenario-planning", although they have ruled out a cancellation. The Tokyo Games are still scheduled to open on July 24th, now just 123 days away.

Malachy Clerkin has caught up with Kerry footballer and publican Paul Geaney to discuss how the current crisis has impacted on his life: "For the time being, it's a matter of living day to day and trying to keep fit," he says. "You think about football the odd time but it's not really there to anywhere near the extent where it usually is." In another excellent read, Gerry Thornley interviews rugby agent Niall Woods who outlines the risk of salary cuts and job losses affecting the game: "more than ever we need to see the (2020) Six Nations completed and for the Irish team to finish as high as possible."

Former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has tested positive for coronavirus, his Chinese club Shandong Luneng have announced. While over the weekend former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz died of coronavirus aged 76, and AC Milan also announced technical director Paolo Maldini and his son Daniel, who is in the youth team, had tested positive but were "both well" having self-isolated for two weeks. In his column this morning, Ken Early explains why Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is perfectly entitled to have his say on the coronavirus crisis: "Nobody should be shy of saying what they think about all this because they don't feel technically qualified to speak. These questions are not just technical, they are also political and ethical, and decision-makers must hear what our priorities really are."

Meanwhile top trainer Ger Lyons believes racing in Ireland is just one positive coronavirus test away from coming to a halt, but has backed the sport continuing behind closed doors for as long as possible. On Sunday, Space Cadet landed the decent prize he had often threatened in his younger days when staying on strongly to win the Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase at Downpatrick.