99-year-old fundraising UK’s WWII veteran honored

PTI, Apr 23, 2020, 8:11 AM IST

London: A 99-year-old World War II veteran who has raised more than 28 million pounds ($34.5 million) for Britain’s health service during the coronavirus pandemic has been invited to perform one of British sport’s quaintest traditions once the crisis is over.

Tom Moore will get the chance to ring the famous bell at Lord’s cricket ground, signaling the start of a day’s play, as a reward for his fundraising efforts that have become a national rallying point. The job is typically given to former cricketers or figures in the sport.

The offer was made to Moore, a cricket fan, by England captain Joe Root – a fellow Yorkshireman.

I’d love you to give us a team talk at some point as well, Root said in a video conversation with Moore, and get all the lads in the right frame of mind.

The Twitter account of Lord’s posted a message to Moore, saying he is an inspiration to us all.

With the aid of a walking frame, Moore walked 100 laps of his garden in eastern England to support workers in Britain’s National Health Service. He wanted to complete the mission before his 100th birthday on April 30, and his family initially set a target of raising 1,000 pounds.

The Dutch soccer association has canceled the remainder of the women’s league season and cup tournament following a discussion with the clubs. The KNVB says the consequences of the cancellation will be clarified on Friday when soccer authorities talk with the clubs.

PSV Eindhoven currently leads the women’s league.

The cancellation follows Tuesday’s announcement by the government that its ban on all large-scale events was being extended until Sept. 1.

The KNVB says it also plans to cancel the rest of the men’s season but will discuss the issue with UEFA before making the final decision.

The French rugby league has canceled the semifinals of its Top 14 league because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The LNR’s executive committee abandoned hosting the semifinals on June 19 and 20 and the final in mid-July in the southern city of Nice but says they could potentially be played before the end of summer if health conditions allow.

The LNR says it is waiting to see what rules the government sets out following the end of lockdown before definitively deciding if a resumption is possible.

France is under lockdown until May 11. The Berlin Marathon says the race cannot be held as planned in September because of new restrictions in the city related to the coronavirus pandemic.

City authorities have extended a ban on major events with more than 5,000 people until October 24. More than 62,000 people took part in the marathon last year.

Organizers say they will take time to engage with the consequences of the authorities blocking our events, agree on further steps, and then inform you.

There was no mention of any plan to restrict the race to elite runners only. That was the solution used by the Tokyo Marathon on March 1.

The Berlin Marathon is typically one of the fastest in the world. The current men’s world record was set in Berlin by Eliud Kipchoge in 2018.