Federer’s career end, IBU retrostyle and failed Dynamo transfer: how the sports world celebrated April Fool’s Day

April 1 is International Laughter Day. Teams, athletes and organizations post funny posts on social networks or play fans with unexpected announcements.

In the current situation with the coronavirus pandemic, many abandoned practical jokes and tricks. However, there were those who decided not to deviate from tradition, thereby encouraging sports fans in such difficult times.

Waking up on Wednesday morning, biathlon fans saw an unexpected statement on social networks published on the official page of the International Biathlon Union (IBU). It seriously stated that from next season, athletes will have to run individual races in a classic style. Thus, the organizers decided to diversify the competitions, as well as bring the spirit of the past into them - after all, at the dawn of the biathlon, there was simply no other technique.

This decision was made by the technical committee of the organization, and it was already supported by several eminent athletes - including the eight-time Olympic champion Ole-Einar Bjoerndalen, as well as the silver medalist of Sochi-2014 Selina Gasparin.

The press service of the IBU also played up to Martin Fourcade, who completed his career this season.

“As a member of the committee of athletes, I did not support this decision. That is why I retired, ”the Frenchman wrote in the comments.

⚠️IBU announces historical change for #biathlon ⚠️
The IBU Technical Committee has decided to reintroduce classic style as the mandatory technique in the Individual. Athletes' Committee supported the choice.
More info and athletes' opinions on https://t.co/wuA8iRRMM66ic.twitter.com/mXi4c3Jzqt

One of the most common April Fools ’draws is the announcement of the completion of a career for an athlete. Although, for obvious reasons, for most fans, such jokes cause only outrage.

The well-known portal Tennis World USA published a news marked "lightning", which really could seriously scare any tennis fan: the great Roger Federer announced the end of his career. Given the age of the Swiss, a knee injury, as well as the cancellation of a number of major competitions, such a message could well be taken at face value.

In order to be more convincing, the authors of the "sensational" article suggested that under the conditions of quarantine Federer had a lot of time to think and as a result, he came to the conclusion that he would no longer be able to compete with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

However, good news awaited fans of the 20-time winner of the majors.

“In fact, Roger Federer can still win several titles at the Grand Slam tournaments, because, of course, it was a Perov April fool! Dear readers, don’t worry, the Swiss did not make any official statements about his future, and his career will continue, ”the authors reassured the fans.

BREAKING NEWS: Roger Federer announces retirement from tennis https://t.co/guiLMKB28fpic.twitter.com/p1TXk4XXXL

Perhaps the Spanish long-distance runner and skyrunner Kilian Jorne is less popular than Federer, but his unexpected statement surprised many fans of extreme sports. Multiple world champion said that he decided to exchange climbing in the mountains for fishing.

Soon Jorne published a video message in which he refuted his own words.

“Of course, I don’t give up running to go fishing, it was a joke. I hope I managed to make you laugh in these difficult times, ”Jornet said.

Olivier’s answer turned out to be an April Fools ’draw too. A few days ago, a Real Madrid striker was asked to compare himself with a Chelsea counterpart. In response, the Frenchman noted that you should not confuse Formula 1 with karting, emphasizing that he means himself under the royal races.

On Wednesday, some media outlets talked about the reaction to Giroud.

“They say you can’t compare a Formula 1 car with a kart. The only thing I can say about this is that I am a world champion. Pretty good for a map, ”the BeSoccer player quoted as saying with reference to BeFoot.

It turned out that this quote is an invention of BeFoot journalists, and the Chelsea player himself did not react to the attacks in his address. Recall that Benzema lost his place in the French team in 2015 after the scandal around Mathieu Valbuin. Giroud was the winner of the 2018 World Cup.

Like other sports, football is going through difficult times due to the coronavirus pandemic. Leading European tournaments are suspended indefinitely, and players are forced to keep fit at home. However, a way out of the situation was found in Portsmouth, playing in the English League 1, the country's third most powerful division.

The club offered to continue the season in a slightly different format. Football players must enter the field in zorb - transparent transparent inflatable balls, usually used for outdoor entertainment. In them, a person can fit in full growth, thus avoiding direct contacts with other participants in the matches.

“We are still waiting for the official confirmation of the experts, but we believe that it will be a safe, logical, and most importantly, interesting solution. In order not to resort to matches behind closed doors, each spectator of Fratton Park will also be given a zorb (please note that zorb will be available only in sizes from S to XL), ”the statement said on the official website of Portsmouth .

📰 #Pompey have proposed a solution which will allow the 2019/20 season to resume while maintaining social distancing ⬇️

Unfortunately or fortunately, football fans still do not have to watch such a spectacle. The team’s press service congratulated them on April Fool’s Day and reminded them of the need to stay at home during quarantine and to observe personal hygiene rules.

If sport took a forced pause all over the world, then in Belarus football championship continues. In this regard, on April 1, Dynamo Minsk announced the start of negotiations with Moscow teammates.

“If the agreements are signed, then after the necessary quarantine measures, the Moscow club’s players will move to Dynamo’s camp in Minsk before resuming the RPL,” the statement said.

Unexpected news was confirmed by the head coach of the Moscow Dynamo Kirill Novikov.

“Surely five people are sent to Belarus, they will play. Clinton N'Zhye or Maximilian Philip, who missed the third gathering. Also Vladimir Rykov. Well, Nikolai Komlichenko with Dmitry Skopintsev, ”Novikov said.

Of course, the news also turned out to be a joke, although Minsk fans would clearly not be against such an increase.

¯ \ _ (ツ) _ / ¯ Unfortunately, negotiations between the clubs were unsuccessful. The deal fell through .#fcdm1927@FCDM_officialpic.twitter.com/fgqJRk5uuV