Sports Roundup
Florin Orban, 23.03.2020, 10:43
Romania’s top fencers have gone into home
isolation after having taken part in the World Cup in Budapest. The
announcement was made last week by the Romanian Fencing Federation. Bucharest
officials were notified by the International Fencing Federation that multiple
fencers from South-Korea and China who competed in Hungary tested positive for COVID-19.
The athletes were tested upon their return to Asia, but according to an
International Fencing Federation release, their names haven’t been disclosed.
Most are not showing any symptoms. Among the Romanian athletes who are now
isolated is also Ana-Maria Popescu, who is ranked first in the women’s epee
standings at present.
Romanian
boxers who took part in the pre-Olympic tournament in London, suspended on
March 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic, have also entered home isolation upon
their return to Romania. The president of the Romanian Boxing Federation,
Vasile Ciltea, said all boxers are well and none is exhibiting symptoms
associated with the COVID-19 virus. Under a decision of the Romanian authorities, all people returning
home from the United Kingdom must isolate themselves at home for a period of 14
days at the place of entry. We recall that, prior to the interruption of the
pre-Olympic tournament in London, Romania had managed to secure one
qualification to the Tokyo Olympics. Cosmin Girleanu defeated Rufat Huseinov of
Azerbaijan on points in the round of 16. Reaching the quarterfinals guaranteed
Girleanu presence in the Olympic Games.
Meanwhile
uncertainty still looms over the possibility of postponing the Olympic Games,
scheduled for July 24-August 9. To this end, the International Olympic
Committee will make a decision over the next four weeks, the IOC president
Thomas Bach announced in a letter to athletes. The Committee has been facing
piling pressure from multiple federations and athletes calling for a
postponement of the Olympics, amidst scares over the health risks entailed by
the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Translated by V.
Palcu)
