Sport in the age of coronavirus

Sports audiences are unused to being still. That is what is particularly stressful about not having anything to watch in the age of COVID-19. Two major news stories were the total suspension of NBA games, and the possible suspension of the Tokyo Olympics for two years. People may have to go back to reading books. Just kidding.

The league had already decided to play behind closed doors, at least to salvage its television revenues and ratings. This was a complete reversal of its stand in its early days. Prior to its first NBA  All-Star Game in 1951, team owners actually believed that having a television coverage would hurt live attendance. Luckily, they allowed more progressive team owners innovate.

The NBA was doing its best to operate even without putting live spectators at risk. Unfortunately, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus before Wednesday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Jazz had previously played the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors during what may be considered the illness’ incubation period. The league cancelled all games scheduled after Wednesday. The US is a very litigious society, so any Tom, Dick and Harry could falsely sue the league or any team, claiming they contracted the disease at a game. Despite the NBA’s prodigious record against suit, they would not risk being the object of a potential class suit.

This fantastical scenario was first envisioned in the 1996 Michael Jordan film “Space Jam,” when the antagonist aliens stole the talent or selected NBA players, and other players feared it was a contagious disease. Back then, it was considered ludicrous. Welcome to the new world order. 

Meanwhile, a few hours later, the West Australia Department of Health confirmed that one of their new coronavirus patients was on the same domestic flight from Sydney to Perth on Monday as the National Basketball League’s Perth Wildcats. However, the health authority also declared that since the “players, coaches and staff were seated in a different area of the plane, they are not considered to be high-risk, and as such, won’t require testing or isolation. The Wildcats are currently running second in the NBL. 

This is a very unusual decision, especially given the strict health and quarantine laws in Australia. In fact, in the past, Australia used to spray all inbound international passengers with disinfectant. In past Olympics there, equestrian events were held in far-off places away from the main venues.

Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee and Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee have been giving conflicting statements about the status of the 2020 Games. There is a possibility that the Olympics will be held in 2022. This would be the first time since the 1990’s that the Summer and Winter Olympics will be staged in the same year. In 1986, the IOC voted to separate the two events, holding them alternately every even-numbered year. This will impact all the preparations of the organizers, athletes, delegations and media involved. This also means that the Olympics will be held in the same year as the Commonwealth Games (formerly the British Empire Games). The Commonwealth Games have been held every four years since 1930 and include several Olympic sports, as well non-Olympic events like lawn bowls and netball. 

In some territories like Hong Kong, restaurant staff not only wear masks, but even place clear fiberglass dividers in the middle of tables, between patrons. Strangely, if the patrons feel safe being with one another, this measure is unnecessary. Of course, being in a public place or at a public event is a personal choice, as is holding an event. Putting dividers in a larger setting in unfeasible. So this slow-paced, separation lifestyle is the new normal, for now. 

If thought out properly, small group settings, like intra-company workshops and the like can still go on, given additional precautions. Schools can actually function with staggered schedules. But the general consensus seems to be to err on the side of caution, and perhaps evolve new protocols for public safety. At least until a higher power sounds the all clear.