Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

World Health Organization says large crowds for sporting events are unrealistic this year

World Health Organization says large crowds for sporting events are unrealistic this year
August 6, 2020

The World Health Organization has today advised that it will be “unrealistic” to expect large numbers of spectators to be able to attend sports events this year in countries still affected by “community-level transmission” of Coronavirus.

Speaking in a live online discussion, WHO Emergencies Director Michael Ryan said it could be “disastrous” to allow the return of sports with tens of thousands of people attending.

AFP reported that Ryan explained “large crowds of 40, 50, 60,000 people – it’s not just the risk of being in the stadium, it’s the risk of going to the stadium ... where thousands of people go on the same public transport to a venue, get involved in the social aspects before a game, be involved in the game and then all of the social aspects after.

"In the context of community transmission, that could be disastrous.”

While numerous sporting events around the world because of Coronavirus have been postponed or cancelled, of which the Tokyo Olympic Games has been the most high profile, Ryan did not address limited numbers of fans having been allowed back into sports events in several countries under strict anti-virus guidelines.

Baseball and football leagues in both Japan and South Korea have reopened stadiums to fans while in Australia, restricted numbers have been allowed into venues for sporting competitions.

In addition, having been successful in containing Coronavirus outbreaks, New Zealand lifted restrictions on supporters attending Super Rugby Aotearoa games as of late June.

Ryan added "we may have to expect that as things open up, we go from having no-one at the games to maybe 1,000 and 2,000. We all want our sport back. We’re just going to have to be careful for a good bit longer.

“It’s very unrealistic in countries with community transmission that we’re going to be seeing large gatherings like that this year. Right now, it’s hard to see those fully reopened venues.”

Image: Fans watch the resumption of AFL at Perth's Optus Stadium.

Related Articles

3rd August 2020 - Concerns over social distancing failures sees venues move to reduce crowd capacities

2nd August 2020 - Concerns over crowds’ failure to social distance during NRL clash at Sunshine Coast Stadium

10th July 2020 - China bans international sporting events until 2021

26th July 2020 - NRL broadcasts lose more than a million viewers since competition restart

13th July 2020 - Optus Stadium prepares for AFL fixtures this week

3rd July 2020 - AFL’s Victorian teams to move interstate

25th June 2020 - Victorian fans to be prevented from attending NRL and AFL games in NSW

9th June 2020 - AFL season restart to see 2,000 fans at Adelaide Oval on Saturday

6th June 2020 - Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium ready to claim world first with return of fans

5th June 2020 - NSW Government to allow corporate boxes to operate at NRL fixtures from next week

5th June 2020 - Eden Park Chief Executive ‘thrilled’ at prospect of again welcoming fans to watch live sport

26th May 2020 - NRL’s goal to have crowds in stadiums in July described as ‘absurd and dangerous’ by Australian Medical Association

25th May 2020 - Stadiums prepare for NRL return

20th May 2020 - Global sports sponsorship market predicted to fall by 37% this year

6th February 2020 - UN launches international program to enhance security of major sporting events

31st January 2020 - Coronavirus declared global health emergency by World Health Organization

24th July 2019 - World Health Organization promotes physical activity action plan at National Sports Convention

13th October 2015 - Sport included in United Nations development goals


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

SeatGeek Asia Pacific

SeatGeek is a search engine and mobile-focused ticket marketplace that allows fans to buy and sell tickets for live events. As of August 2018, SeatGeek has exited the Australian, New…

read more

Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

Quayclean

Quayclean are a national cleaning and waste services partner with proven results in the understanding and delivery of cleaning needs and challenges faced by facilities including; major venues and…

read more

Aquatics / Hospitality / Surfaces / Venues

 
 

Myrtha Pools

Founded in 1961, Myrtha Pools® quickly became Italy’s première swimming pool company, and has since grown into one of the world's leading swimming pool construction…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks / Wellness

 
 

Humanforce

Humanforce is a global provider of workforce management solutions for companies who need flexibility to manage complex workforces. Companies use Humanforce to manage everything from time and…

read more

Hospitality / Retail / Technology / Venues

 
 

SportEng

ABOUT SPORTENG specialises in the Planning, Design and Construction inspection of Fields of Play for all sports. Blending engineering with the specialist knowledge gained from working closely with…

read more

Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Surfaces / Venues

 
 

DAE Global

DAE Global is one of the world’s leading international creative and production practitioners, creating award-winning sport, culture and entertainment experiences for over 30 years.  It was…

read more

Culture / Entertainment / Events / Venues

 
 

Augmented Creative

Augmented Creative is an open organization of like-minded and highly dedicated, creative people who conceive, plan and execute visual solutions. We pursue new and innovative visual ideas to help…

read more

Arts / Attractions / Consultants / Design / Tourism

 
 

HIDROPLAY

Hidroplay welcomes you to the exciting world of children's Playscapes, waterslide's and Water Attractions. Appealing to families, Hidroplay increases patronage in your facility during those…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Recreation

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business