The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
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Rafael Nadal and Pau Gasol have launched a campaign to encourage donations in the hope of raising 11 million euros ($12.1 million) to help Spain fight the coronavirus.
The tennis and basketball stars said in videos posted on social media that they are supporting a Red Cross fundraising effort to help with the public health crisis.
Nadal and Gasol say they have made donations and urged others to follow their lead. Former Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas quickly said he would pitch in.
Nadal says ”I believe that we are who we are in large part thanks to your support and now we have to be there for you.”
Spain has 56,188 infections and more than 4,000 fatalities from the virus.
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Two major triathlons in Spain have been postponed and the world university triathlon championship in Hungary has been canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Olympic mixed relay qualifying race had already been relocated to Valencia from Chengdu, China, and was scheduled for May 1.
A World Cup event in Valencia had been scheduled for the next day. It’s the seventh World Cup race to be postponed.
The International Triathlon Union says it will try to find new dates for both.
The university worlds were to be staged on June 27-28 in Kecskemet.
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The Italian soccer federation has offered up its hotel and auditorium for people having their health monitored amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The facilities outside Florence are normally used by Italy’s national soccer teams and also host high-level courses for coaches and sporting directors.
Federation president Gabriele Gravina says ”now that we are not playing soccer, to return to doing so we need to win together the most important match against coronavirus.”
Italy has nearly 75,000 infections and more than 7,500 fatalities from the virus.
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Real Madrid and Spanish sports authorities say the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium will be used to store donations of medical supplies to help combat the coronavirus outbreak.
The soccer club says it will use the stadium to store private donations. They will then be distributed by government authorities to hospitals.
Spain has 56,188 infections and more than 4,000 fatalities from the COVID-19 virus.
Civic groups, businesses and individuals are donating much-needed masks and any material that can used to make protective gear for doctors and nurses.
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Four German soccer clubs have pledged 20 million euros ($21.9 million) to support other teams struggling to stay afloat after games in the country were suspended because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen will forgo 12.5 million euros ($13.7 million) in as-yet undistributed TV money and add another 7.5 million euros ($8.2 million) from their own funds. All four clubs played in the Champions League this season, giving them extra income.
The German Football League, which oversees the top two divisions, will decide how the money is distributed. The league has previously said it fears many clubs could face financial collapse if games can’t resume.
Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says ”in these difficult times, it’s important that the stronger shoulders support the weaker shoulders.”
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Paris Saint-Germain is selling a new jersey online with the profits going to local hospitals and nursing staff dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.
The French champion’s jersey bears the emblem ”Tous Unis” (All United) on the front.
A total of 262,500 euros (about $288,000) will be raised if all 1,500 jerseys priced at 175 euros ($192) are sold.
PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi says ”we can only be sensitive to and grateful for the astounding work” that medical staff on the front line have done against the virus.
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The Spanish Grand Prix on the MotoGP circuit scheduled for May 3 has been postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
It is the fifth MotoGP race to be canceled or postponed.
The next race at risk is the French Grand Prix on May 17 at Le Mans.
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The Turkish Boxing Federation says national team member Serhat Guler and trainer Seyfullah Dumlupinar tested positive for the coronavirus after returning from an Olympic qualifying competition in London.
The federation says the boxing team went to a training camp in Sheffield on March 3 to prepare for the competition and traveled to London on March 11. All team members stayed at the same hotel and ate at the same cafeteria.
The IOC is running the qualifying competitions for boxing because governing body AIBA has been suspended.
The Turkish team competed on March 15 and 16 and returned home on March 17 after the IOC halted the competition. All team members were quarantined on return.
The federation says Guler and Dumlupinar are being treated in the hospital. Two other boxers who complained of high fever are awaiting the results of their tests.
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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
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