Digest

SOCCER

Gremio president 'in good health' after positive test

Gremio president Romildo Bolzan has tested positive for the coronavirus, the Brazilian Serie A club said on Sunday.

The 60-year-old is in "good health" at his home in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre, where he will be in mandatory self-isolation for the next eight days, Gremio said in a statement.

Bolzan is the fourth Gremio official to be infected with the virus in the past week, joining youth team coach Eduardo Fernandes and directors Claudio Oderich and Marco Bobsin.

Gremio last played on March 15, when they beat Sao Luiz 3-2 at home in the Rio Grande do Sul state championship. The competition has been suspended until at least March 31 while the Brazilian Football Confederation has halted all national leagues indefinitely.

The Copa Libertadores has been suspended until at least May 5.

SWIMMING

Olympic ace 'seriously fatigued' by COVID-19

Cameron van der Burgh

Olympic champion Cameron van der Burgh said on Sunday that he had contracted COVID-19, describing the disease as "no joke" and "by far the worst virus" he has ever had.

"I have been struggling with Covid-19 for 14 days today," the South African wrote on Twitter.

"By far the worst virus I have ever endured despite being a healthy individual with strong lungs (no smoking/sport), living a healthy lifestyle and being young (least at risk demographic)."

Van der Burgh, the 2012 Olympic 100m breaststroke champion and former world-record holder, retired from swimming in 2018.

The 31-year-old added: "Although the most severe symptoms (extreme fever) have eased, I am still struggling with serious fatigue and a residual cough that I can't shake.

"Any physical activity like walking leaves me exhausted for hours."

GOLF

Swing coach suffering 'horrendous' symptoms

Leading swing coach Pete Cowen said he has all the symptoms of the new coronavirus and told all his players to follow health and government guidelines on COVID-19.

"I'm feeling horrendous and wouldn't wish this on anyone, no matter how young and fit they may be," Cowen told Britain's Daily Telegraph.

Cowen works with Henrik Stenson, Brooks Koepka, Gary Woodland and Graeme McDowell, among many others, putting in long hours on the practice range at the biggest events.

The Englishman was at The Players Championship before it was canceled last week after one round because of concerns over the coronavirus.

The Telegraph said Cowen has not been tested, but believes he has COVID-19. "After a few days of self-isolation, we decided to ring the ambulance and the medics said I ticked every box on the corona sheet," Cowen said. "They were fantastic, but said they were not allowed to test me unless I was admitted to hospital and then the staff there decided to keep you in."

ATHLETICS

Kipchoge keeping fit amid Kenya closures

Eliud Kipchoge

Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge said despite the loneliness of solo training runs, he is determined to remain fit and ready for whenever sports are resumed.

Kipchoge, who was due to run at the London Marathon on April 26 before it was postponed, has been forced to self-quarantine as the coronavirus pandemic continues to batter the world.

Kenya has so far confirmed 15 cases of COVID-19 with no deaths. However, the country's government has closed all training camps and sports competitions and banned gatherings of more than ten people in an attempt to curtail the disease.

"This is now the third day since we broke up from the camp due to coronavirus," Kipchoge said in Eldoret.

"It's really hard to train because I value teamwork. It's mutual interest because it helps me so much. I am trying to quarantine myself, stay with my family and make sure I don't mingle with a lot of people," he said.

BASKETBALL

Gobert reports loss of sense of smell, taste

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert said he has temporarily lost his sense of smell and taste as he tries to recover from coronavirus.

Gobert, whose positive test kick-started the NBA shutdown, asked on social media if others are experiencing similar symptoms.

"Just to give you guys an update, loss of smell and taste is definitely one of the symptoms, haven't been able to smell anything for the last 4 days. Anyone experiencing the same thing?" Gobert posted on his Twitter account.

The 27-year-old was the first NBA player to test positive for COVID-19 on March 11, prompting the league to suspend its regular season indefinitely, just minutes after the Jazz and Thunder were set to tip off in Oklahoma City. He has since apologized for acting carelessly before learning of the diagnosis.

Jazz teammate and fellow All-Star Donovan Mitchell tested positive the following day, and there are now 10 confirmed positive tests for COVID-19 among NBA players.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Eagles star Slay plans Kobe jersey tribute

Darius Slay

New Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Darius Slay said he will change his NFL jersey number to 24 in tribute to the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant.

The 29-year-old cornerback, who was traded to the Eagles on Friday by the Detroit Lions, announced his plan on social media.

"I'm going Kobe mode," Slay said. "Black Mamba, baby. Rest in peace to the GOAT (greatest of all time). One of my favorite players.

"And I think I'm going to look good in that 24."

Slay, who wore No 23 while playing for Detroit for seven seasons, signed a three-year deal with Philadelphia on Saturday.

Slay is a three-time Pro Bowl player and was joint NFL leader in interceptions in 2017.

Bryant died in January at age 41 in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles that killed eight others, including his daughter Gianna.

Bryant played his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. The superstar guard led the club to five NBA titles during his stay. He was an 18-time NBA All-Star and the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player and also helped the United States capture Olympic gold in 2008 at Beijing and 2012 in London.

Xinhua - Agencies