Australian sport in disarray as the NRL 2020 season is cancelled and Australia pulls out of the Tokyo Olympics

·

The Australian sporting world has been hit by two of the biggest announcements yet. Not only has the NRL confirmed that the 2020 season has been suspended indefinitely, but Australia’s Olympic athletes have been told to prepare for the Games to be postponed to 2021.

NRL 2020 season shut down:

The suspension of the NRL 2020 season just two rounds in, came at a press conference this evening as ARL Chief Peter V’landys lamented a “deeply sad day” for the game.

“As we said from the outset, the paramount consideration in our decision-making process has always been the safety and health of our players,” Mr V’landys said.

“Unfortunately, that’s taken a dramatic turn today. Our pandemic and biosecurity expert have said that due to the rapid rate of infection, we can no longer guarantee the safety of our players to continue to play.

“Accordingly, we are suspending the season. We aren’t going to put a time period to the suspension, we are going to look at every available option to us to recommence the season… every option is still on the table.”

NRL bosses Peter V’Landys and Todd Greenberg said the situation had changed significantly in the past 24 hours. Source: AAP.

This decision will leave NRL clubs in crisis, with the competition and clubs facing financial ruin.

“It’s catastrophic. I don’t think we’ve ever come across a financial crisis like this,” Mr V’landys continued.

“We’re all affected. We’ve led by example by cutting our expenditure immediately and we’re hoping the clubs will do the same very quickly. We’ll sit down with the players in the next week to see how they’re affected.”

Australia will not send athletes to the Tokyo Olympics 2020:

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) held an emergency teleconference on Monday morning and unanimously agreed a team could not be assembled for the 2020 Olympics given the current situation at home and abroad.

AOC Chief Executive, Matt Carroll, said the decision was made without waiting for advice from the International Olympic Committee due to changing circumstances with the pandemic in recent days.

AOC Chief Executive, Matt Carroll, made the decision this morning.

“We’ve had to make a call now because of the situation here in Australia and other parts of the world. But the IOC is still working through their final decision-making,” Mr Carroll told reporters in Sydney on Monday.

“The athletes desperately want to go to the Games, but they also take on board their own personal health. We need to give our athletes that certainty and that’s what we’ve done.”

Carroll’s comments came after Canada announced it would not send its team to the Olympics and Paralympics in the summer of 2020.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

European Parliament backs resolution to protect Christian minorities in Syria

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution by overwhelming majority calling for the protection of Christian minorities in Syria.

Konstantinos Argiros delivers emotional first-ever performance in Constantinople

One of Greece’s top pop stars, Konstantinos Argiros, performed in Turkey for the first time on July 10, delivering a sold-out concert.

Survivors pulled from Red Sea two days after Houthi strike on Greek cargo vessel

Four more survivors from the Greek-operated cargo ship Eternity C have been rescued from the Red Sea nearly 48 hours after the vessel sunk.

Migration Minister defends asylum suspension as necessary to protect Greece’s borders

Greece has defended an amendment which would temporarily suspend asylum for individuals arriving illegally by sea from North Africa.

Meet the Greek Australian doctor fighting to save Indigenous children’s lives

Professor John Carapetis, renowned paediatrician and infectious disease expert, hopes to close the health gap for Indigenous children.

You May Also Like

Top 5 inventions and discoveries of Ancient Greek scientists

Some of the best Greek inventions from the world's greatest minds!

‘Yes’ or ‘No’ for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament: An opportunity foregone

Jim Tsolakis says the referendum is a missed opportunity to bring about unity throughout all parts of the Australian multicultural community.

Andrew Liveris: Brisbane Olympics 2032 could make city a ‘lifestyle superpower’

Organising committee chair of Brisbane Olympics 2023, Andrew Liveris, said the games will transform the city into a 'lifestyle superpower.'