We may never see eye to eye on what happened over the French submarines contract but when it comes to torpedoing anti-vax sentiment, including its promotion by high profile sports people, Australia and France appear to be firm allies. | Chip Le Grand
Emmanuel Macron and Scott Morrison would both appreciate the irony. Just when Australia needed a friend to back its hardline stance against a lawyered-up Novak Djokovic, up popped the French to lend a hand.
“Legislation will soon be passed by the French Government prohibiting non-vaccinated athletes from competing in any sporting event,″ the email read. “It is currently uncertain whether players who have recently recovered from COVID-19 will be allowed to compete unless they have completed at least one dose of a two-dose vaccine.″
A week ago, Australia was mocked as a COVID outlier. As anti-vax surfer Kelly Slater scornfully put it: “Maybe Stockholm Syndrome can now change its name to Melbourne/Australia syndrome.” Maybe Kelly should book in his shots. The World Surfing League this week made clear that it supports vaccination, respects Australia’s border rules and has no interest in arranging a rear entry for Kelly into Bells.
Djokovic’s most important battles lie ahead, at Indian Wells, Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows, not in the cramped confines of the Park Hotel. He came here with what he believed was a valid medical exemption but no one has argued, not even Djokovic, that his recent bout of COVID was the reason he hadn’t got the jab.The lesson to all sports governing bodies is that, when it comes to preserving the social licence of your sport, even the biggest name athlete is only as good as their last jab.
The men’s tour in contrast has never contemplated a vaccine mandate. Like the WTA, its stated position is to observe whatever rules apply in jurisdictions where tournaments are held., the chiefs of both men’s and women’s tours reiterated their view that all players should be vaccinated. As things stand, neither is willing to take that decision out of the hands of individual players.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Surfer Kelly Slater unlikely to be let into Australia if he’s not vaccinated against CovidWorld Surf League events are due in Victoria and WA but Daniel Andrews says commonwealth’s position on coronavirus vaccine is ‘very clear’ following Novak Djokovic visa saga
Read more »
Was the Djokovic saga really about strong borders?The two court decisions, and the Djokovic case in general, highlight how dysfunctional Australia’s border management arrangements have become.
Read more »
Bizarre Djoker twist in $3.3b decisionThe relationship between Australia and Serbia has been getting frostier by the day it seems following the deportation of Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic.
Read more »
'He endured all measures humbly': Djokovic's coach on deportation decisionNovak Djokovic’s coach has opened up about the heavy toll the decision to cancel his visa and subsequent deportation from Australia has taken on the Serbian tennis star.
Read more »
‘Unhealthy and unjust’: Team Djokovic issues explosive comebackNovak Djokovic’s camp has delivered a scathing reply to the decision to deport the tennis star following a controversial legal battle.
Read more »
Federal Court releases reasons for Novak Djokovic visa decisionThe Federal Court releases the reasons why it upheld the federal government's decision to cancel the visa of tennis star Novak Djokovic, five days after he was deported from Australia.
Read more »