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SPORTS Saturday 7 december 2019
‘Sportswashing’ fears dog Ruiz-Joshua fight in Saudi Arabia

By STEVE DOUGLAS one-year, multiple-entry
AP Sports Writer visa that allows people
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) from 49 different countries
— In one part of Riyadh, to spend up to 90 days in
two of the world’s most Saudi Arabia.
high-profile boxers squared “Thousands will be enter-
off at a weigh-in outside a tained in the cradle of
5-star hotel ahead of the modern Saudi civilization,”
first heavyweight title fight Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al
to take place in the Middle Faisal Al Saud, chairman of
East. the General Sports Authori-
Across town, American ty, said of “Diriyah Season.”
rappers Akon and Chris “Our arms are open and
Brown were about to our welcome has never
headline a concert at a been warmer.”
UNESCO heritage site. Certainly there has been
Saudi Arabia is undergoing change, with the crown
fairly radical social change prince regarded as the
in some ways under Crown driving force behind loos-
Prince Mohammed bin ening restrictions on wom-
Salman, but critics say the en, who were allowed in
country is using big sports sports stadiums for the first
and entertainment events time last year to watch a
to divert attention from its Heavyweight boxers Anthony Joshua of Britain, right, and Andy Ruiz Jr. of U.S. pose during a soccer match. A national
questionable human-rights weigh-in at Faisaliah Center, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. women’s soccer team
record. Associated Press was created this year. A
The kingdom’s govern- put to Joshua’s promoter crown prince but its own in- “Vision 2030” a blueprint big step had already been
ment-backed General this week. vestigation acknowledged to wean the kingdom off made seven years ago
Sports Authority has a dif- “I was driving up and down the operation was planned its reliance on oil as prices when Saudi Arabia sent
ferent view, saying the the road last night, thinking by two of his top aides. lower. women to the Olympics for
push to portray a new im- of all the criticism I’ve been There are strict limits on Amid a month-long set of the first time.
age of modernization and getting. And I passed Gu- expression in the coun- events called “Diriyah Sea- Nevertheless, women are
to boost tourism is “a jour- cci, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Do- try. Women’s rights activ- son” that started Nov. 22, still segregated and most
ney of transformation.” nuts, Versace and Ralph ists and others have been the Ruiz-Joshua rematch cover their faces and hair
Anthony Joshua, the British Lauren,” Eddie Hearn said. targeted for arrest in the is the headliner. It started with black veils and wear
fighter seeking to reclaim “The Saudis want to show lead-up to women being with a Formula E race last loose-flowing black robes.
three heavyweight titles they are changing. And allowed to drive for the month, and will continue Hearn said he expects
from Mexican-American they want a more positive first time last year. Prince after the boxing with the there to be “loads of wom-
champion Andy Ruiz Jr. in image worldwide by bring- Mohammed oversaw Diriyah Tennis Cup an en” at the fight on Satur-
their rematch in Saudi Ara- ing in events. But isn’t that what was described as an eight-man tournament day.
bia this weekend, hasn’t what they should be do- anti-corruption roundup including Stan Wawrinka And he is quite confident
just been fielding ques- ing? in 2017 that saw Riyadh’s and Daniil Medvedev and that Ruiz-Joshua will not be
tions about the bout. He’s “They have got to change, Ritz-Carlton Hotel turn into then the Diriyah Equestrian the last mega-fight seen in
also faced scrutiny over and they are changing. a detention facility, and Festival. International re- the kingdom in the coming
whether he is being used But the great news is that princes, government offi- cording artists have per- years.
by the Saudis in a bid to boxing is going to be re- cials and others detained. formed throughout the “They can’t believe they
“sportswash” their reputa- sponsible for those chang- The roundup helped so- month. got this (fight) and it is near-
tion. es and that shows you the lidify Prince Mohammed’s Tourist e-visas to the king- ly here,” Hearn said, “and
“All I’m here to do is box,” power of sport.” power. dom were issued for the they are saying, ‘What’s
Joshua told The Associated The “sportswashing thing,” Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia first time last year — a next?’”q
Press this week when asked Hearn said, was “over my remains mired in a years-
if he had any concerns head.” long war in neighboring Chase Elliott gets 2nd most
about fighting in the king- Amnesty said in an email to Yemen, the Arab world’s
dom. “So away we go. We the AP that it wasn’t neces- poorest nation, that has popular NASCAR driver award
are here now. I’m comfort- sarily asking Joshua to boy- killed more than 100,000
able.” cott the fight, thereby for- people and seen the king- JENNA FRYER — Chase’s father.
Reportedly pocketing $70 feiting the biggest payday dom criticized for airstrikes AP Auto Racing Writer The award is based on a
million for being here, Josh- of his career, but rather targeting civilian areas. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — fan vote and sponsored
ua was unlikely to say any- that he “inform himself of Amnesty said it recorded Chase Elliott’s run as NAS- by the National Motors-
thing else. the human rights situation 146 executions in Saudi CAR’s most popular driver ports Press Association.
“It’s a massive opportuni- in Saudi Arabia and be Arabia last year, the third hit two consecutive years Bill Elliott won the award
ty,” he told the AP. “Boxers ready to speak out.” highest in the world behind when he was voted as every year between 1984
need opportunities. Every It’s something Joshua has only China and then Iran. the sport’s top star. and 2002 until he removed
sport and every business chosen not to do. The executions are held in Elliott won the award last his name from consider-
needs global opportunity. There was a huge interna- public. season, the first since Dale ation. But the honor was
It ticks a box for business, tional outcry following the There is, therefore, a con- Earnhardt Jr. retired to returned to his family last
but also tourists and sports.” brutal killing of Washing- certed effort to improve end his streak of 15 con- year with Chase’s first vic-
The “sportswashing” the- ton Post columnist Jamal the image of the regime, secutive years as winner. tory, and the 24-year-old
ory, as put forward by hu- Khashoggi at the Saudi while using increased Earnhardt Jr. fell one year now seems to be a lock to
man rights organization consulate in Istanbul last spending on sports and short of the record 16 set reel off his own impressive
Amnesty International, year. Saudi Arabia denied entertainment to promote by Hall of Famer Bill Elliott run. q
among others, was also any involvement by the it and advance Saudi’s