Mexican football clubs "have rallied to aid the relief effort after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake caused devastation in Mexico City and surrounding states on Tuesday," according to Tom Marshall of ESPN.com. More than 200 people died as buildings collapsed, "with all midweek Copa MX matches postponed as the country recovers." Liga MX clubs like León, Pachuca, Veracruz, Monterrey, Necaxa, Santos Laguna, Puebla and Atlas "set up collection points in their stadiums or facilities," with the public urged to bring essential and non-perishable goods for those affected by the earthquake. Liga MX clubs in Mexico City -- Club América, Cruz Azul and Pumas -- "suspended their normal activities for Wednesday" (ESPN.com, 9/20).
ESTADIO AZTECA OK: YAHOO's Henry Bushnell reported "several reports that Estadio Azteca has been damaged by the devastating earthquake" appear "to be false." A video "showed the stadium trembling." However, "what looks like a crack is simply part of the structure of the stadium." It is a "junta constructiva, as many Spanish-speaking journalists put it, a constructive joint." It is also referred to as an "expansion joint." The stadium is built with such a design "to avoid collapse during an earthquake or landslide" (YAHOO, 9/19).
IPC EVENTS POSTPONED: REUTERS' Karolos Grohmann reported the World Para Swimming and World Para Powerlifting Championships to be held in Mexico City later this month "have been postponed following the devastating earthquake," the IPC said on Wednesday. The IPC said that this was the "first time it had been forced to postpone a major championship." Both events were due to start on Sept. 30, with 1,400 athletes, officials and staff involved. IPC President Andrew Parsons said in a statement, "As a result of this tragedy, we are in full agreement that the immediate focus of the Mexican authorities should be on prioritizing recovery and rebuilding for the Mexican people and not organising two major international sport events." Parsons added that arrangements were being made for a "safe departure of delegations that had already arrived in the capital" (REUTERS, 9/20).
PÉREZ MAKES DONATION: The EFE reported Force India Formula 1 driver Sergio Pérez will donate 3M pesos ($170,000) to "those affected by the earthquake." In addition to that contribution, Pérez announced that for every dollar the Checo Pérez Foundation receives, the Carlos Slim Foundation "will contribute five additional dollars to the cause" (EFE, 9/20).
