- Wimbledon takes precautions against potential protests
- Enhanced security measures in place for the championships
- All England Club emphasizes commitment to environmental responsibility
Wimbledon cautioned players not to “try a Jonny Bairstow” if Just Stop Oil activists throw orange paint on Centre Court. The All England Club is preparing for protestors to target the championships on Monday. Including a larger security presence inside and outside the grounds and a rapid response unit on show courts.
It has also updated its conditions of entry, warning spectators not to bring any items that could be “used to sabotage or damage” All England Club property, including spray paint, personal protection sprays, and adhesive.
In recent months, the Grand National and the world snooker championships have been disrupted, but Bairstow minimized the potential harm at Lord’s on Wednesday by tackling and carrying away a protester.
Last week, a Just Stop Oil activist revealed to an undercover reporter that the group had discussed plans to attach themselves to the umpire’s chair, the net, or even the court at Wimbledon.
They were quoted as saying, “A picture of someone’s hand glued to something on Centre Court would be incredible.” “That would be extremely motivating. There are many persons interested in that.”
The All England Club’s operations director, Michelle Dite, implored all guests to respect the safety and enjoyment of others. “The safety and security of players, colleagues, and visitors is paramount,” she said.
Based on what has occurred at other sporting events and on the advice of our key partners. We have reviewed and enhanced our security plans for the championships correspondingly.
“Our updated terms of entry from April 2023 include information on prohibited items and disruptive behavior. We work with specialised agencies and the Metropolitan police to minimise hazards, and the right personnel will respond to incidents.”
According to Dite, Wimbledon is conscious of its environmental responsibilities. We recognize that this is one of the most significant challenges of our time, and we are committed to playing our role. From using only renewable electricity and offering low-carbon menu options to sending zero waste to landfills and promoting a culture of reuse, we strive for a positive environmental impact in everything we do.
