The recent outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in South Korea will have "no bearing" on the upcoming Summer Universiade to take place in the country, the event's int'l organizers said Sunday. Gwangju, some 330km south of Seoul, and its satellite towns will host the multi-sport competition for university athletes from July 3-14. As the government "struggles to contain the virus that has claimed five lives and forced more than 1,800 others to be quarantined," several sporting and cultural events across the nation have been postponed or canceled (YONHAP, 6/7). ... The University Sports Association of Hong Kong said that it is "monitoring the situation in South Korea," but it has not been notified of any athletes "wishing to withdraw for next month's World University Games." Hong Kong will send a delegation of more than 100 athletes to the biennial event. Association Chair Kenny Chow Kwun-wah said, "If there is any athlete who does not want to go Gwangju, we won't force them. But as far as we understand, there has not been such a case" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 6/8).
BRISBANE CUP UNDER PRESSURE: Despite Queensland's "ongoing racing industry upheavals, executives
from the same state are hoping that the once well thought of Brisbane
Cup" can revert to its original distance of 3,200m after "another
lacklustre event" last Saturday. Some years ago, Queensland racing
officials "decided to cut the race in distance" from 3,200m to 2,400m,
hoping to attract a "higher quality field." However, the plan has
"backfired and many are fearful that the race's growing irrelevance will
continue unless the distance is changed" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 6/8). ... An Australian cricket reporter was "mugged by men armed with knives just minutes from the hotel where the Australian cricket side was staying in the Dominican capital, prompting a warning about players' safety." ESPNCricinfo correspondent Daniel Brettig was "attacked by two men and thrown to the ground after withdrawing cash from an ATM in Roseau, less than five minutes' walk from the hotel where the Australian team have been staying for the first Test of their series against the West Indies." He had his wallet and phones stolen and "was taken to hospital after sustaining a bloody nose, a cut to the head and other grazes" (SMH, 6/8).
