How the Middle East crisis has affected sporting events and athletes
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Debris lies scattered in the aftermath of an Israeli and U.S. strike on a police station, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 3, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
March 4 - Iran's ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Israel has led to sporting events being postponed in several countries, while competitions elsewhere have been hit by travel disruption, with thousands of flights cancelled in some of the world's busiest transit hubs.
ATHLETES' ARRIVALS AT PARALYMPIC GAMES DISRUPTED
The International Paralympic Committee said it is working to find solutions after several athletes were finding it difficult to travel to the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympic Games due to travel disruptions in several Middle Eastern airports.
"The closure of airspace in the Middle East is impacting the arrival of some stakeholders... we are working diligently with Milano Cortina 2026 to find solutions for those affected," the IPC said on Tuesday.
TENNIS IN UAE HALTED DUE TO SECURITY ALERT
The ATP Challenger event in Fujairah was cancelled due to safety concerns after a security alert abruptly halted play.
SOCCER MATCHES IN IRAN AND QATAR POSTPONED, SPAIN V ARGENTINA IN DOUBT
All sporting events in Iran have been cancelled until further notice, including the country's top-flight Persian Gulf Pro League.
The Qatar Football Association indefinitely postponed all soccer matches in the country, putting in doubt a clash between Spain and Argentina set for Doha on March 27. The Bahraini FA also halted all domestic competitions.
ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCHES POSTPONED
Round of 16 clashes featuring Middle Eastern clubs in the Asian Champions League Elite in the first two weeks of March have been postponed until further notice.
Next week's quarter-final clashes in the Asian Champions League Two and the Asian Challenge League featuring clubs from the region are also postponed, the continental soccer body (AFC) said on Wednesday.
TENNIS PLAYERS MEDVEDEV, RUBLEV STUCK IN DUBAI
Russian players Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, who participated in the Dubai Tennis Championships last week, are among players facing travel difficulties in reaching California for the Indian Wells Open. The ATP is monitoring the situation.
WEC POSTPONES SEASON OPENER IN QATAR
The World Endurance Championship postponed its season-opening race scheduled for March 28 at the Lusail circuit in Qatar, until later this year.
"A new date for the Qatar 1812km during the second half of the campaign will be finalised and communicated in due course," the WEC said in a statement.
MIDDLE EASTERN F1 RACES HANG IN THE BALANCE
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who heads the global motorsport governing body FIA, said safety will be their main concern when taking a decision on next month's Formula One races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
"Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled there for the FIA World Endurance Championship and the FIA Formula One world championship," he said on Monday.
SINDHU WITHDRAWS FROM BADMINTON'S ALL ENGLAND OPEN
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu withdrew from the All England Open after being stranded for days at Dubai airport. She returned to India on Tuesday.
"Back home in Bangalore and safe. The last few days have been intense and uncertain, but I'm truly grateful to be back to my house," Sindhu wrote on X. REUTERS
