Some of the world’s sports stars say they chose to stay and train in Dubai during the pandemic because of the city’s excellent sports facilities.
Frenchman Pierre Gasly, who drives for Scuderia AlphaTauri, stayed in the emirate for two months after the postponement of the Bahrain Grand Prix, in which he was supposed to compete.
Even when gyms were closed, Gasly said he was able to train, thanks to the staff at FIVE Palm Jumeirah, who set up a gym for him in an empty apartment near the hotel.
Italian golfer Renato Paratore also chose to stay in Dubai to train at the Jumeirah Golf Estates, impressed by the health and safety regulations put in place at golf facilities.
And back in March, a number of Chinese football teams, who were in town for their off-season training, decided to stay in the emirate, confident that the government’s handling of COVID-19 would protect them from the virus.
Real Madrid overturned a two-goal deficit against Real Sociedad to reach the Copa del Rey final after an extra-time header by substitute Antonio Ruediger secured a barnstorming 4-4 draw on Tuesday for a 5-4 aggregate win.
Arsenal beat Fulham 2-1 in the Premier League on Tuesday thanks to another goal from stand-in striker Mikel Merino while Bukayo Saka struck a few minutes into his return from nearly four months out with injury.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland sustained an ankle injury in their FA Cup quarter-final at Bournemouth over the weekend, the Premier League club said on Monday, with the striker requiring further tests to determine the full extent of the injury.
Rory McIlroy acknowledged he is dealing with an elbow injury as he prepares to head to Augusta for next week's Masters. The World No. 2 made a spirited run up the leaderboard at the Texas Children's Houston Open on Sunday, carding a 4-under 31 on the front nine that included an eagle.
WNBA star Caitlin Clark's 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA Signatures Gold Vinyl Prizm card, numbered 1-of-1, has set a record sale for a female sports card after going under the hammer for $366,000 (AED 1.3 million) at auction.