Sports
French Open: Djokovic faces Roland Garros ban without vaccination
Agency Report
All athletes who wish to compete in France will have to be vaccinated against Covid-19, government sources told AFP on Monday.
This appears to contradict what Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu said last week, that certain events like the French Open had a special exemption, when asked whether Novak Djokovic could play in the tournament.
For ordinary citizens entering France it is not obligatory to be vaccinated but will be for those wishing to enter an establishment which has a public attendance (ERP).
Major events like the French Open previously permitted non vaccinated athletes to compete as they operated a health bubble round the tournament.
The first major event to be directly affected would be the upcoming Six Nations rugby championship when France will host Italy (Feb 6), Ireland (Feb 12) and England (March 19).
This measure would dash 34-year-old Djokovic’s hopes of defending the title and potentially an unprecedented 21st Grand Slam singles crown.
Rafael Nadal could move one ahead of him and Roger Federer if he wins the Australian Open.
Djokovic’s dreams of playing in it were dashed on Sunday when he was deported from Australia over his coronavirus vaccination status.
Djokovic’s hopes of a Grand Slam success in 2022 would then rest on Wimbledon as New York vaccination rules would rule him out of the US Open.
AFP
-
Politics17 hours ago
Imo ex-gov Ihedioha pays visit to Otti
-
News19 hours ago
Ogun schools resume third academic term today
-
News16 hours ago
NFL star Tank Dell injured in Florida shooting
-
News13 hours ago
Court slams Linda Ikeji N30m damages over libelous post against NBM
-
Crime17 hours ago
NDLEA busts man carrying 4,000 tramadol pills at Lagos airport
-
Metro16 hours ago
Fuel queues return across states amid supply shortages
-
News15 hours ago
FCCPC partners ECOWAS, seeks Nigerians’ input to shape digital market
-
News19 hours ago
Five dead as deadly tornadoes hits US states