It has been almost 2 years that the world is struggling with the pandemic. Some things are returning to normalcy while some are still suffering because of the pandemic. Sports is one of the activities that is suffering due to COVID-19. The leagues are not closing down as they did during an early pandemic. However, it occurs that sport will face repercussions of this pandemic. With the outbreak of the Omicron variant and increasing infections, with each passing day, sports activities around the globe are facing a setback. For example, 51 NFL players, including Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, are on the COVID-19 reserve list. The NHL season will pause on Wednesday. Two days before the originally scheduled holiday.
List of sporting events suffering by COVID-19
NHL pausing season early
Because of the increasing number of positive COVID-19 cases across the league, the NHL and NHL Players’ Association agreed to begin their Christmas break early. They announced on Monday night that it will pause its season on Wednesday. Two days before the originally planned holiday break from December 24-26. The game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild on Monday night went ahead as planned. But the other four games on the schedule were cancelled. During consultations Monday night, the NHL and NHLPA agreed to postpone the five games that remained on Thursday’s schedule. Players are scheduled to return to team facilities on December 26 and resume daily testing. The NHL season will resume on December 27.
Louisville-Kentucky game postponed
The Louisville men’s basketball game against Kentucky on Wednesday has been postponed. And the Cardinals have paused basketball activities due to “multiple positive COVID-19 tests within the programme,” the school announced on Monday. Louisville is coming off an 82-72 loss at Western Kentucky, where it was missing starting centre, Malik Williams. Even though Louisville did not name Williams, a spokesman stated that a player was not with the team due to COVID-19 protocols.
Women’s hockey suffers
On Monday, USA Hockey declared that an exhibition between the US women’s hockey team and Canada had been cancelled due to “concerns about COVID-19.” The series, which Canada currently leads 4-2, is set to resume in Canada after the new year.
Nadal tests positive
Rafael Nadal confirmed on Monday that he tested positive for COVID-19 after returning to Spain from an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi the previous weekend. The timing of the positive test could complicate Nadal’s plans for the Australian Open, which starts on January 17. Because of various injuries, Nadal, 35, has played very little competitive tennis since last year’s French Open and was attempting to ramp back up in time for the season’s first Grand Slam event.
NBA to allow COVID-19 replacement
Reports suggest NBA teams will be able to sign one replacement player for each player who tests positive for the virus between now and January 19. In the event of two positive players, organisations will be required to sign at least one replacement player. Over the weekend, roster restrictions decimated lineups across the league.
Tough task for NFL
“The NFL must brace for COVID-19 to wreak havoc on playoff ramifications before, during, and throughout the run to Super Bowl 56 on Feb. 13 in Los Angeles,” writes USA TODAY Sports columnist Jarrett Bell.
