WHAT’S COMING UP IN THE SPORTS WORLD IN 2022

WHAT’S COMING UP IN THE SPORTS WORLD IN 2022

✦ The Winter Olympics, The Ashes, Australian Open Tennis and the FIFA Football World Cup plus much more!

Sport has always had a unique and undeniable ability to help people, communities and countries unite and overcome all manner of challenges, to rise above politics and public debate by providing an unrivalled thrill and sense of celebration.

It became an invaluable crutch that many turned to when seeking respite from the daily toil the global COVID-19 pandemic imparted over the last few years and 2022 has an action-packed schedule for enthusiasts to enjoy! All eyes traditionally turn Down Under at the start of the year as a series of acclaimed sporting events kick off the

year and 2022 is no different with the Ashes carrying on from 2021 seeing the Aussie and England cricket teams battling it out for the cherished urn. The Australian Open opens the tennis calendar in January although it is doubtful we will see defending champion Novak Djokovic on court as the nine-time winner has declined to publicly state his vaccine status, deemed a prerequisite by authorities. Djokovic has previously railed against vaccine requirements, leading to assumptions that he will not be there.

The Australian Formula One Grand Prix hasn’t been so lucky in the past two years, cancelled on both occasions due to the COVID pandemic. However, it is scheduled for April 7-10 next year with high levels of anticipation at Albert Park in Melbourne. In fact, early reports state that demand is so high that additional grandstands will need to be erected.

Elsewhere domestically, the AFL Grand Final will take place at the MCG on September 24, the NRL Grand Final on October 2 and the Melbourne Cup on November 1 at Flemington Race Course.

Globally, there are two huge events taking place in 2022, both of which, sadly, are clouded in major controversy and which have seen the divides between sport and politics blurred considerably.

Firstly the Beijing Winter Olympics, running from Feb 4-20 and the Paralympics in March. China has consistently been courting controversy over a range of issues including COVID-19, human rights and territorial disputes, which has soured international relations and, unfortunately, affected sentiment towards the Games with talks of diplomatic boycotts from the likes of Australia and the USA.

Added to this, fans will be barred from attending due to COVID-19 concerns and, bizarrely for a winterthemed tournament, it has been suggested that snow may need to be transported to the venues at great cost and with uncertain environmental consequences.

The FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar between Novermber 21 to December 18, is equally as controversial with critics aghast at the host country’s human rights record and stance on equality and homosexuality. Expect major fallout as the tournament nears and takes place. In the rugby world we have the Six Nations Rugby tournament between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland & Wales in February and the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, postponed due to COVID-19, in England from October 15 to November 19.

New Zealand hosts the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in March and April 3 and the Women’s Rugby Union World Cup, postponed from this year, in October and November.

In golf we have the Masters at Augusta in April 7-10, the PGA Championship in May, the US Open in June and the Open at St Andrews in Scotland in July. Tennis fans will be keeping an eye on the French Open at Roland Garros in May and June, Wimbledon in June and July and the US Open in August and September.

For running enthusiasts, there is the Tokyo Marathon in March and the Boston and London marathons in April.

Hopping on the bike we have the Giro dItalia in May, the Vuelta a España in August and September and the Tour de France in July.

Finally, the 22nd edition of the Commonwealth Games takes place in Birmingham, UK between July 28-August 8.

These are just a few of the highlights in the sporting world that should keep fans enthralled throughout 2022 – whatever your preference, we hope you enjoy!