The eleventh night of the live stream of NatChats on the instagram of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, 30 April 2020, brought together renowned personalities in the Country’s sports.
Many questions were asked including the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on world sports.
Manuchehr Zandi, sports journalist and member to the International sports Press Association said World Sports was seriously taken aback by the spread of the Coronavirus. What is happening in the world today regarding the Olympics is no less than what happened in this regard in the post-world war I period, when not many countries wished to host the games.
“Controlling the pandemic requires full international cooperation and the Olympics is no exception”, said Mr Zandi. It is upon all agencies and countries to stand by japan in the cancellation decision taken, explained the Speaker.
In addition, Mr Zandi, highlighted the effects of the postponement of the Olympic games on the professional lives of the sports persons and their years of practice for taking part in the Olympics. He added that the only manner in which the Olympic Games can be organised is to completely eliminate the Coronavirus; otherwise, due to the nature of most sports, it is impossible to avoid physical contact between the sports persons.
Other guests also spoke about the impacts of the cancellation and/or postponement of the Olympic Games. Of the discussed factors, the most important one was said to be financial issues brought about by a cut in tourism revenues for the host country due to stagnation of the tourism industry.
Another question raised and discussed was the impact of this postponement on sports in Iran.
A zoorkhaneh-i performance by the renonwned Iranian Zoorkhaneh-i singer wrapped up this quadrilateral discussion that was led by: Messrs Shaji’, Zandi, Seddighi and Nik-khah Bahrami.
(Shaji is member to the Iranian National Committee for Sports;
Seddighi is Secretary of the International Relations Commission of the Iranian National Committee of Olympics;
Nik-khah Bahrami is the Captain of the National Iranian Basketball Team)
