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Sporting Events Feeling Impact of Terror Attack - 2001-09-13

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Major sporting events worldwide are feeling the impact of Tuesday's terrorist attacks in the United States. The National Football League has called off the second week of its season. Major League Baseball has canceled all games for Thursday. And the PGA Tour called off its events for the week. However some sports are beginning to try to return to normal.

The National Football League decided to postpone all 15 games this week in the wake of the terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue made the decision Thursday after a conference telephone call with team owners. Travel and logistical problems as well as security concerns factored in the decision.

The NFL Players Union has said it would not be appropriate to play this week after the terrorist strikes in New York and Washington Tuesday. Two of the teams scheduled to play this week were the New York Giants at home and the Washington Redskins taking on Arizona in Washington.

Meanwhile, several U.S. college football games have been canceled or rescheduled. One conference that will play games as scheduled is the Southeastern Conference, where the Florida Gators play Tennessee. SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer says that the decision to play was made in keeping with President Bush's statement that life should return to normal. "We did not take this action without very deep and considered discussions not only between our institutions but also with the government as well, as far as what their position was," he said. "And I think that based on all of that, our presidents and our athletic directors moved forward with this decision."

The Professional Golfers Association tour canceled its events this week, but the ladies' tour will play the Safeway Classic in Orgeon. There is still some question as to whether the Ryder Cup competition will go ahead as scheduled in England this month. U.S. team captain Curtis Strange says the U.S. players will have to consult the government because they would have to fly. "First of all we have to talk to the State Department if they allow international travel," said Curtis Strange. "And then we have to talk to the players themselves as if they actually do want to travel and if it is a safe atmosphere to travel in or not."

The European Football Union has rescheduled this week's Champions' League and UEFA Cup matches for October. The Champions' Cup matches will be played October 10 and 43 UEFA Cup matches will take place October 20.

The Stanley Cup ice hockey champion Colorado Avalanche team canceled Saturday's scheduled exhibition match in Sweden after the National ice Hockey League called off all exhibition games following the terrorist attacks in the United States.

The Avalanche was scheduled to play the Swedish champion club Djurgarden at the sold-out Globe Arena in Stockholm. The National Basketball Association has canceled exhibition games in China and Taiwan.

The Championship Auto Racing Team's Indy-car circuit has announced it will go ahead with Saturday's German 500. The Italian Grand Prix Formula 1 race will also go ahead as scheduled in Monza.

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