The Saga of Unvaccinated Elite Athletes Potentially Harming Their Sports' Future

[bonarae]

This deserves its own thread, especially since Novak Djokovic made the world news headlines last week after Australia cancelled his visa, and now France is planning to deny his visa application too.

Do you think such athletes, in any sport, be banned outright from participating / practicing until they complete their vaccination?

[caribbeanhen]

This deserves its own thread, especially since Novak Djokovic made the world news headlines last week after Australia cancelled his visa, and now France is planning to deny his visa application too.

Do you think such athletes, in any sport, be banned outright from participating / practicing until they complete their vaccination?

No, just test him for Covid like they do to the other players

[bonarae]

Here is the article for your inspo and info: https://theconversation.com/were-entering-unprecedented-territory-sports-expert-qanda-on-what-djokovic-row-means-for-unvaccinated-elite-athletes-174989

[JSUSoutherner]

I think it's wild that these top tier athletes will do whatever they can with their bodies, food, and training to get a competitive edge. They take the advice of medical professionals from training planning and recovery regimens. But a vaccine is just too much for them?

Really? They'll inject steroids and PEDs but can't take a vaccine?

If they want to make that choice, fine. More power to them if that's what they want. But don't whine about the consequences of your choices.

[FormerPokeCenter]

It's weird that they're focusing on a tennis player....I mean, it's the one sport that had to make no accomodations for the participants to observe social distancing guidelines. It should be the one sport were nobody gives a **** about whether or not a player is vaccinated, but - instead - they're making an example out of him.

[Rjones61]

It's weird that they're focusing on a tennis player....I mean, it's the one sport that had to make no accomodations for the participants to observe social distancing guidelines. It should be the one sport were nobody gives a **** about whether or not a player is vaccinated, but - instead - they're making an example out of him.

Tennis doesn't rake in cash, so it is an easy target.

[JSUSoutherner]

Tennis doesn't rake in cash
Yet the prize pool is $75 million and north of 800,000 people attend the Australian Open alone.

[Rjones61]

Yet the prize pool is $75 million and north of 800,000 people attend the Australian Open alone.



Wait, seriously?

​WHY!?

[grizband]

Yet the prize pool is $75 million and north of 800,000 people attend the Australian Open alone.


Wait, seriously?

​WHY!?
Tennis is really popular in other parts of the world.

[POD Knows]

Tennis is really popular in other parts of the world.
Used to be big here too, back in the day. The US hasn’t had a decent mens player in a generation.

[caribbeanhen]

Used to be big here too, back in the day. The US hasn’t had a decent mens player in a generation.

Yea I used to watch and play some, Jimmy Conners and Johnny McEnroe era but admit I couldn’t name one American player today

[POD Knows]

Yea I used to watch and play some, Jimmy Conners and Johnny McEnroe era but admit I couldn’t name one American player today
I played a lot of tennis as a kid. My small town put up two courts back in the 70s. We played tennis all the time. I remember getting a Wilson T2000 because I think that was the racket Connors used. I can’t name a US Mens player either and if it wasn’t for the Williams sister tennis would be completely dead in this country.

[Gil Dobie]

Wait, seriously?

​WHY!?

It's televised for over a week, advertising galore. Multiple courts with multiple matches being played at the same time. I would recommend the US open if you get a chance. Not a bad seat in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Saw some great tennis in 2 sessions. Agassi, Venus, Sharapova, Navratilova to name a few.

[POD Knows]

It's televised for over a week, advertising galore. Multiple courts with multiple matches being played at the same time. I would recommend the US open if you get a chance. Not a bad seat in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Saw some great tennis in 2 sessions. Agassi, Venus, Sharapova, Navratilova to name a few.
The US Open used to be a bucket list thing for my now I have no desire to go. I watched the US Open and Wimbledon religiously back in the day. Not anymore.

[Gil Dobie]

The US Open used to be a bucket list thing for my now I have no desire to go. I watched the US Open and Wimbledon religiously back in the day. Not anymore.

We happened to be in NY for a wedding and the US Open was going on at the same time. We also did a Yankees game, Letterman show, city tour, The Open and headed to the Hampton's for the wedding. Chinatown was interesting, my wife was checking out the fake purses, and they invited her up a dark stairway to check out the good fakes.