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On the other side of the world, fans are attending sports matches these days as before: in the stadium, without distance and without masks. When is this possible again in our country? We put this question to biostatistician, professor and chief fanatic Geert Molenberghs.
“Not yet on the agenda”
In Australia, tennis players are playing again for full stadiums, in New Zealand, the docks are full for sailing competitions for the Prada Cup.
“The epidemiological situation in Australia and New Zealand is different from that of Europe. We do not yet have such events on the agenda, ”says biostatician Geert Molenberghs (55).
“When I see such pictures I hold my breath for a while. Australia can present very good numbers, New Zealand even better, but the virus has not completely disappeared. That is why we have to be careful with such mass events. “, thinks the professor.
“Before I start organizing events in our country again, I would like to take it step by step. Australia has had outbreaks before too: an epidemic in Melbourne, for example.
“Repeat in small groups”
Melbourne is gearing up for the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year. When can we organize and attend sporting events in our country again?
“Not in the short term,” replies Professor Molenberghs. “Our numbers are good. Hopefully we can keep the third wave small. If the vaccination campaign is successful, there will be opportunities next summer. At least if we frame them well with a screening policy.”
Are we all going back to the football stadium? Molenberghs: “Initially it will be possible in smaller groups. Football has the advantage in any case that the matches are played away.”
If all goes well, we will play football again in our country for little bubbles in the stadium.
“Let the runners go in small groups”
Geert Molenberghs enjoys participating in running events like the Ten Miles in Antwerp in his spare time. These normally take place at the end of April, this year the competition has been moved to October.
“We have to wait for the vaccination schedule,” says the professor, “but for the moment I advise not to organize a mass departure yet. Let the participants leave in small groups, spread over the day ”.
“Maybe we prefer to run in small groups. It’s definitely better than not running,” says Molenberghs, who completes the 10 miles in 1 hour and 5 minutes.
“I myself wish to be back at the start as soon as possible. Sporting events in our country will come back anyway. I am convinced of that”, concludes the biostatician on a positive note.
Biostatician Geert Molenberghs travels 16 kilometers in 1 hour and 5 minutes.
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