Coronavirus: How women's sports are affected by coronavirus

Major cycling, football and rugby events have been canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic

"I am thinking of the young women who have worked their entire lives to reach this stage. All they wanted was an opportunity to prove themselves "

The coronavirus pandemic has affected sport around the world, and women's sport is arguably one of the most risky.

Fifpro, the world football association, recently warned that the women's game could be hit by the virus much harder than the men, but Fifa will continue their investment of $ 1 billion [£805m] in the women's game.

Athletes and administrators of various sports spoke to the BBC World Service about a special sports program for women about the impact of Covid-19.

Football: & # 39; We assume that women do the same as men & # 39;

The Danish captain Pernille Harder is in Germany, where she plays as a striker for VfL Wolfsbu rg. The Women's European Championships shifted to 2022 a year ago.

"In Germany we are in week three of group training. It is mainly technical: touching the ball, seeing the girls, socializing a bit.

"All the men's teams already train in small groups, but on the female side I think it is only three or four teams that have started to practice in small groups.

"If we start playing with the men at the same time, some teams at the bottom of the field won't have been on the field as long as we do, and that's not so good for them.

" It is mainly talking about men's competitions in the media, and we assume that women do the same as men.

"It's important that sponsors don't cut women's football first."

Rugby Union: & # 39; Women's World Cup a reminder of hope & # 39;

Charmaine McMenamin is a loose attacker for the Black Ferns, who are the reigning world champions. New Zealand was one of the most successful countries for containing the virus.

"Much of the news we get here is about the US and Europe and how it was affected, and I am very grateful that we are a great leader who acted quickly to minimize damage.

"Internationally, playing a game is still in the air. I would be lying if I said that this did not overshadow the World Cup [which takes place in New Zealand in 2021].

"I know that world rugby will really strive for it because it will be a reminder of hope and we have come through a tough time as a rugby community."

Catherine Spencer is a retiree rugby union player. She was the England captain and won six Women's Six Nations titles.

"The decision was made early on to end the women's season, and talks about ending the men's league are still ongoing.

" That's the grim reality of the difference in men's sports and women's sports. Men's rugby is based on TV coverage and everything related to it, and the Premiership for women doesn't have the same broadcast deals.

"There are a number of teams like Waterloo and Richmond – the next announcement they heard was that they had been effectively relegated from the Premiership.

" So for two teams in our Premiership all are involved players and coaches, their season and possibly their entire career in the Premiership ended abruptly. "

Golf: & # 39; All they ever wanted was a chance to prove themselves & # 39;

Mike Whan is the LGPA Commissioner. The Tour has been suspended until most international players can participate.

"The financial impact is amazing, but I always think of our rookies.

"When it started to escalate, I called all the rookies. I was thinking of these kids who have tried all their lives to get it to this level.

" They finally did, and probably got they sponsors related to how often they play and how well, and here they are.

"I'm really thinking about the young women who had worked all their lives to reach this stage. All they ever wanted was an opportunity to prove themselves – and it's my job to get them to that stage "

Cycling: & # 39; I train without purpose & # 39;

Annemiek van Vleuten is the World Champion on the road. The Dutch have implemented a pay cut to help her team, Mitchelton-Scott, with their finances.

"I can train with up to one person. I try to focus on what I can control. Keep fit, stay healthy, stay happy and help where I can.

" I really miss working on a goal with my team. I miss the competition.

"I was surprised because I also love training, but now I see that I really need the goals. I realized that many things that you take for granted are not being granted at the moment.

"I think this year it will be so difficult to race in the pack all over the world because countries are in different situations, and it makes it complicated. "