Global Edition

June 9-15, 2020

A few months ago, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee announced that they had several plans in place to cope with Covid-19’s disruption. Now, there is “no plan B” in case they cannot be held in 2021, which might be contingent on finding a vaccine. Back in the day, not even war would stop the Olympic Games.



This possible scenario makes us remember that sometimes

mother nature will have the last word even if the world’s best talent, attitude and resources are put in place together. A reflection for the World at large.



Meanwhile, some sport is back. IndyCar Racing, and UK and Irish Horse Racing retook their activities. Formula 1, the NBA, New Zealand’s Super Rugby have announced their comeback. Other seasons, such as Formula W, have been called off.

• McGregor retires…For the third time. The former pound for pound #1 MMA fighter in the world previously retired in 2016 and 2019, claiming he has lost excitement for the sport. ESPN says he might not be retired
• Fancy a museum’s plane ride?. Thomas Waerner won the coveted Iditarod Trail dogsled race in March 18th but only now made it home to Norway, with his 24 dogs. He had to use a historic museum airplane. See Alaska Public Media
• Record viewership for golf. It was not a Tour meeting but rather a charity Pro-Am that has just set the cable TV record in golf viewership, with average of 5.8 million. Woods and Manning beat Mickelson and Brady. By CNN.
• NBA and MLS move to Disney. An imminent announcement is expected about NBA’s and MLS’ plans to return to action from late June to early August. Miami Herald details
• A “legendary” player retires at 23. League of Legends gamer, Jian “Uzi” Zi-Hao, announced his retirement from the sport, citing health issues. This should raise awareness of the side effects of the lifestyle of some of the world’s best. One Esports has the story

GLOBAL PODIUM OF THE WEEK

Gold: Amanda Nunes

(Brazil, Mixed Martial Arts)

Amanda Nunes has made history by becoming the first mixed martial artist, male or female, to hold and defend World titles in two different weightclasses.



A wide favorite, she dominated Felicia Spencer (CAN) to defend her Feathwerweight world title, at UFC 250.



Recap from MMA Weekly

Silver: Scott Dixon

(New Zealand, Auto racing)

It took 9 months for the fans to see IndyCar back on track. Not much changed: Scott Dixon dominated the race at Texas Motor Speedway and has now tied A.J. Foyt’s record of winning a race in 18 different seasons.

Dixon is now chasing Mario Andretti’s IndyCar win record.



Watch the extended highlights from NBC

Bronze: Kenichi Ikeoze/Gran Alegria

(Japan, Horse Racing)

The US$2.6 Million Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo Racecourse expected Almond Eye (JPN) to win, but a young female called Gran Alegria (JPN) honored her Spanish name, which means “Great Joy” and pulled the upset in this Grade I race, ridden by Kenichi Ikeoze.



Full race, by JRA

GLOBAL SPORTS AGENDA

Week Preview

Not much will change with the global sports agenda this week, as few sports can compete at top level under social-distancing mechanisms.



This weekend is mostly about racing.

Motos: with the Supercross World Championship and Eli Tomac’s chance of clinching the championship.



Cars: Some of the world’s best Real and simracing drivers will Square off at the Virtual Le Mans 24 Hours, while NASCAR will have two races.



Horses: The Ogden Phipps stakes (G1) continue the action at Belmont. The Irish 2000 and 1000 Guineas will not have overseas contenders.



eSports sees the start of the most important Warcraft team tournament of the year.







June 9-15, 2020

Horse Racing:

Ogden Phipps Stakes (USA)

Irish 1000 Guineas (IRL)

Prix Saint-Alary & Prix Ganay (FRA)



Motorcycling:

Supercross World Championship, Salt Lake City (2 races)



Auto racing:

NASCAR Cup (Martinsville and Homestead)

NASCAR Trucks (Homestead)

eSports:

Warcraft Gold Team League

Overwatch League Matches

LCS Summer 2020

Simracing: 

Virtual Le Mans 24 Hours

V8 Supercars All Star ESeries



Boxing:

Jessie Magdaleno (MEX/USA) vs Yenifel Vicente (DOM)



Football:

German Cup Semifinals





PHRASE OF THE WEEK

Photo: Roger Goodell, Social Media

“We the National Football League admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest.”



Roger Goodell

NFL Commissioner

SPORT’S BEST VALUES

Excellence: Arrogate

Arrogate, the highest-earning horse in history of North American passed away, age 7.



Arrogate won over US$ 17 Million and some of the world’s most prestigious races, such as the Breeder’s Cup Classic, the Pegasus World Cup and the Dubai World Cup.



Bloodhorse remembers him and shows one of his wins.



Photo by Thehorsegodbuilt.

Perseverance: Saarbrucken

The fourth-tier Saarbrucken have not played competitively in three months yet today they face the most important match in the outfit’s history: A German Cup Semifinal against Bayer Leverkusen.

They have an interesting story and are motivated. Can they pull the upset? 


DW thinks they can.





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New York, 2020.