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Most pro athletes are vaccinated — but the unvaxxed are making headlines – CBC Sports

Published

3 years ago

January 6, 2022

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Unvaxxed sports stars are dominating the headlines

The vast majority of professional athletes are vaccinated against COVID-19. But three famously non-inoculated superstars are currently making news for various reasons:

Novak Djokovic

The world’s most dominant tennis player — who has refused to say whether he has been vaccinated but whose actions all indicate he is not — seemed poised to break the all-time record for Grand Slam men’s singles titles at this month’s Australian Open. His 20 major victories include a record nine at the Aussie, which he won the last three years in a row. But now it looks like Djokovic might not even be able to play.

The Serbian star arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday after securing a medical exemption from the Victoria state government that allowed him to bypass the vaccination requirement for those entering the country. But, after much public outcry, Australian border officials at the airport rejected Djokovic’s exemption today and cancelled his visa. His lawyers are challenging the move in court in hopes of avoiding deportation. But the hearing won’t take place until Monday, leaving the world No. 1 in limbo.

In the meantime, Djokovic is confined to a hotel room, and his mother is accusing Australian authorities of treating her son “like a prisoner” and waging a “political attack” with the goal of stopping him from setting the Slam record. Djokovic’s dad took it a step further in the couple’s press conference today, comparing his son’s plight to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and framing him as a national freedom fighter. “Novak is Serbia, and Serbia is Novak,” he said, in Serbian. “They are treading on Novak, and with that, they also tread on Serbia and the Serbian people.”

Kyrie Irving

Normally, the return of one of the world’s most talented basketball players after missing the first three months of the season would be met with unbridled celebration. But, with Kyrie, nothing is ever that simple.

The mercurial flat-earth dabbler caused a big stink in the pre-season with his refusal to get vaccinated — a major problem for his team, the Brooklyn Nets, given New York City’s mandate requiring pro athletes performing in public indoor venues to be vaxxed. Irving could have played road games in areas that don’t have such a rule, but the Nets said they wouldn’t allow him to be a part-time player.

Until, that is, their roster was decimated last month by an outbreak. Brooklyn blinked, invited Kyrie back, and (after a stint in the NBA’s COVID-19 protocol triggered by either a positive or inconclusive test) he made his season debut last night in Indiana. Irving scored 22 in a Nets win, then dodged questions from reporters about whether he’d reconsider his vaccine stance. This could become an even bigger headache for Brooklyn come playoff time, when Irving may have to sit out basically half the games in a series.

Aaron Rodgers

The reigning NFL MVP angered a lot of fans back in November when he tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to miss 10 days, revealing he was not vaccinated. Prior to the season, Rodgers gave the impression he was vaxxed when he told reporters he’d “been immunized” and added “there’s guys on the team that haven’t been vaccinated… I’m not going to judge those guys.” Turns out, he was one of those guys. Rodgers explained that he has “an allergy to an ingredient that’s in the mRNA vaccines” but also didn’t help himself by blaming “cancel culture” and “the woke mob” for his getting caught in a lie.

As we know, though, the NFL is famously forgiving of personal transgressions as long as you deliver on Sundays (see: Brown, Antonio). So Rodgers was able to largely put the controversy behind him by playing some brilliant football over the last couple of months. He’s led Green Bay to six wins in seven games since his return to the lineup, putting the Packers alone atop the league with a 13-3 record heading into the final weekend of the regular season.

With no obvious choice for MVP out there, some are wondering whether Rodgers will become the first repeat winner since Peyton Manning in 2009. But it seems some voters might flat-out refuse to pick him, including one Chicago-based reporter who went on record this week. Rodgers responded by calling the guy an “absolute bum” who ought to be stripped of his vote.

Aaron Rodgers’ MVP chances might be hurt by his duplicitous approach to his vaccine status. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Quickly…

The newest Olympic sport: not getting COVID. With less than a month left until the Beijing Games and punishing rules in place for anyone who tests positive, Olympic athletes are going to great lengths to make sure they’re allowed to get on their plane and compete in China. Canadian figure skater Eric Radford, who recovered from the virus just in time to take the ice tomorrow at the national championships, called the current landscape an “invisible minefield.” The Canadian women’s hockey team decided to cancel its remaining exhibition games, preferring the risk of rust to that of another outbreak like the one it experienced last month. Canada’s speed skaters saw all of their upcoming out-of-province and out-of-country training camps dropped. The Canadian mixed doubles curling trials were called off, and officials will simply name a duo to represent the country rather than hold a tournament to decide it. All this uncertainty is raising athletes’ stress levels at a time that’s already packed with pressure and nervous anticipation. Read more about how they and Canadian Olympic officials are trying to get through it in this story by CBC Sports’ Devin Heroux.

Antonio Brown is officially no longer a Buccaneer. Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians vowed that the volatile wide receiver would be thrown overboard after his bizarre exit from Sunday’s game in New York. Amid an apparent dispute with the coaching staff on the sidelines, Brown stripped naked from the waist up, chucked his gloves into the stands, waved goodbye to the crowd and jogged out the tunnel, leaving the team. Since then, Brown has alleged the Bucs tried to make him play with a severe ankle injury. The team denied this, saying its medical staff cleared Brown to play and he gave no indication that he was too hurt to do so. Today, the defending Super Bowl champs cut him, leaving Tom Brady without one of his best targets heading into the playoffs.

And finally…

In her darkest hour, Joannie Rochette showed incredible strength and grace. Many of us are going through a tough time right now, but imagine what Rochette was feeling at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Two days before the Canadian figure skating star was to begin competing, her 55-year-old mother, Thérèse, died of a heart attack shortly after arriving in town to cheer on her daughter. Racked with grief, Rochette somehow found the strength to not only perform but win the bronze medal in the women’s event. Revisit one of the most emotional moments in Olympic history through the eyes of the people involved by reading this oral history by CBC Sports’ Doug Harrison.

Coming up on CBC Sports

Less than a month from the Beijing Games, a bunch of important winter Olympic sports events are happening on Friday. Here’s what you can live-stream on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem:

Skeleton: The bad news is, Canada has just one podium to show for the first six stops of the World Cup season — a bronze by Mirela Rahneva last month in Winterberg, Germany. The good news is, the circuit returns to that same venue on Friday. Watch the men’s race starting at 4 a.m. ET, and the women’s starting at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Canadian figure skating championships: This year’s nationals, which are being held without spectators in Ottawa, double as the final audition for the Olympic team. Read more about the key skaters and storylines here and here. Watch the short programs in all four disciplines, starting with the women’s at noon ET, followed by the ice dance at 2:45 p.m. ET, pairs at 5:30 and men’s at 6:50 p.m. ET. The free skates are Saturday.

Freestyle skiing — moguls: Canadian star Mikaël Kingsbury finds himself in an unusual position: trailing someone in the World Cup men’s moguls standings. Japan’s Ikuma Horishima won the past two events to leapfrog Kingsbury, who’s seeking his 10th consecutive World Cup title and second straight Olympic gold medal. Watch the first of back-to-back moguls competitions on Kingsbury’s home turf at Mont-Tremblant, Que., on Friday at 2 p.m. ET. The second one goes Saturday at the same time.

You’re up to speed. Talk to you tomorrow.

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Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

2 days ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

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AP cricket:

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Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

2 days ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

2 days ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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