China's top sports body on Thursday (9th July 2020) moved to cancel nearly all remaining public sporting events in the country for the remainder of 2020, citing coronavirus concerns.
The Associated Press has reported that China will not stage any international sports for the rest of the year, apart from trials for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing and the neighboring city of Zhangjiakou.
A statement from the General Administration of Sports pointed to “science and order” as reasons for the cancellations.
China was due to host two major golf events: the men’s HSBC Champions, a World Golf Championship event, and the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Shanghai. There were also a number of WTA (Women's Tennis Association) tennis events including the end-of-year WTA Finals which were scheduled for November. The country was also due to host four ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) tournaments.
The New York Times tennis correspondent Christopher Clarey reported on his Twitter account that Steve Simon, WTA chief executive, told him that it is not yet clear that China will call off all international sports events, including WTA tournaments, for the rest of 2020. According to Clarey’s tweet Simon said: "Despite reports, the decision is not yet definitive and no order has yet been given"
The Asian Sport-Climbing Championships in October, badminton World Tour Finals in December and two cycling events - the men’s Tour of Guangxi, and the women’s Tour of Chongming Island - are amongst the other affected events.
Please click here to view the AP’s statement.
