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Officials Believe Driver Was Fleeing From Another Crime Scene; Austria Steps up Pressure on Unvaccinated Ahead of Mandate; Tennis Star's Call Raises More Questions About Well-Being; Five Dead After Vehicle Plows Through Wisconsin Parade; Tiger Woods Posts First Golf Video Since Car Crash. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired November 22, 2021 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[10:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Celebration turns to tragedy at a Christmas Parade in Wisconsin as an SUV plows through police
barricades, killing five and leaving schools injured. Anger and protests in Europe, as some countries start imposing tough new restrictions amid a
surge in COVID cases.
We are live in Vienna and in Bucharest and in Haiti, two missionaries from a group of 17, who abducted last month have been released more on that
coming up. It's 7 pm in Abu Dhabi, and Becky Addison from our Programming Hub in the Gulf. This is "Connect the World".
Our top story this hour at least five people are dead more than 40 others are injured after a vehicle plowed into a Christmas parade in the U.S.
State of Wisconsin. Police sources now tell CNN they don't believe the incident was an act of terrorism. They think the driver was fleeing another
crime scene. Much of what happened was captured on video.
And I want to warn you that some of the images you are about to see are disturbing CNN will not show the moment of impact though and Natasha Chen
with the details.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NATASHA CHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A Christmas Parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin turned deadly after an SUV plowed into the crowd Sunday
afternoon. Watch from another angle as the red vehicle speeds down the street barely missing a child wearing a pink coat.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There were a lot of screens and we almost thought maybe it was phantoms but it was a red SUV and it hit a lot of people.
CHEN (voice over): This disturbing video shows the incident from above and the chaos after the car sped into the parade route mowing down performers
and onlookers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I saw I mean maybe three people right in front of me get hit. I saw people right away run to the people that were hit and start
doing CPR. And it was really bad.
CHEN (voice over): Angela Boyle tells me she just started watching the parade when she filmed this video from her apartment balcony.
ANGELA BOYLE, EYEWITNESS: The next thing I heard was screams and turned my head and saw the car come and plow into the band that was just past my
balcony at that point. It hit at least two people right away rolled over both of them and then continued down the road.
CHEN (voice over): In the cities live stream you can see a marching band playing the red SUV then barrels down the street. Moments later the video
shows a police officer chasing after the vehicle.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are vulnerable - people dying on the streets.
CHEN (voice over): According to the City of Waukesha, at least five people are dead and over 40 injured.
DAN THOMPSON, WAUKESHA POLICE CHIEF: The vehicle struck more than 20 individuals. Some of the individuals were children and some fatalities as a
result of this incident.
CHEN (voice over): At least 28 of those hurt or treated at local area hospitals.
STEVE HOWARD, WAUKEHSA FIRE CHIEF: We do not have any specifics on the injuries that at this time. All the patients were transported.
CHEN (voice over): Authorities are investigating the event this morning.
THOMPSON: We're no longer looking for a suspect vehicle. We do have a personal interest in custody at the moment. But this is still a very fluid
investigation.
CHEN (voice over): The FBI is aware of the incident and President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation. Meanwhile, in Waukesha, the community is
stunned and shaken by how the celebration turned into a tragedy?
SHAWN REILLY, WAUKESHA COUNTY: I'm deeply saddened to know that so many in our community went to a parade but ended up dealing with injury and
heartache.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Our Natasha Chen reporting there. We'll be speaking to Natasha live from the scene in just a few minutes. We also expect to learn more
about what was this terrifying incident later today. Police are scheduled to hold a news conference just a few hours from now.
Well, a backlash in Europe as nations clamped down on the COVID unvaccinated protesters are putting up resistance. Some 40,000 people
marched in Austria as the country headed back into its fourth strict national lockdown. It's the first country in Europe to make COVID vaccines
mandatory for everyone who is eligible.
Chaotic scenes in Belgium police use water cannon on thousands of anti- lockdown protesters there have a look at this. With the COVID Delta variant still spreading Germany's Health Minister had blunt words for those who are
not vaccinated.
[10:05:00]
ANDERSON: He said earlier today that he is certain by the end of this winter Germans would be vaccinated, recovered or dead CNN's Salma Abdelaziz
joining me now from Vienna outside Austria's largest vaccine center. Salma why does the government there feel it's so crucial to go back down into
what is a very strict lockdown while other countries like France and other places in Europe have no plans to do so. Is it clear at this point?
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: Well, according to Austria's Chancellor and the medical community here this lockdown is absolutely necessary, Becky
because ICU wards across the country are struggling to deal with an influx of Coronavirus patients.
The Health Minister saying the country's health care system is on the brink these rules are needed and that's why I'm outside this vaccination center
right here. It's the biggest one in Austria, and that's who the government is blaming for this latest wave in COVID cases the unvaccinated, one in
three Australians have yet to be immunized.
And we've been talking to the doctors who run the center here, Becky and they tell me these restrictions are working because for the first time they
are seeing people who have been refusing to get their shot for months now come out and get immunized. Austria also trying a very bold experiment here
mandating vaccines take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ABDELAZIZ (voice over): Restrictions met with resistance on the streets of Vienna. COVID cases are on the rise, and so is public anger. An estimated
40,000 people attended this anti-government demonstration.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We will resist.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We will resist.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We say no to that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We all have a choice. What to do with our body all of us.
ABDELAZIZ (voice over): Nearly one in three Australians are unvaccinated. Authorities blame fake news and far right politics for the slow uptake.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know if something like this is necessary in Austria or in Europe.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That people are being treated like children, they are not allowed to make their own decisions.
ABDELAZIZ (voice over): As night fell, tensions rose several were arrested and two police officers injured. But Austria's largest vaccination center,
we find restrictions are quietly working. Rules targeting the unvaccinated have forced some to come forward up to 20 percent here are getting their
first shot official said.
I gave into the government's block map he said I wanted to wait but the government had other plans for me.
ABDELAZIZ (on camera): The government here is fed up with the unvaccinated. Austria plans to be the first country in Europe to acquire, mandate all
eligible persons to be immunized and the deadline is soon February 1st.
ABDELAZIZ (voice over): Expert Peter Klimek says it's time for desperate measures.
ABDELAZIZ (on camera): Well, this vaccine mandate work?
PETER KLIMEK, ADVISER TO AUSTRIAN HEALTH MINISTRY: What we believe is that this is mandatory vaccinations and if this is executed properly, then at
least we should be able to avoid chaos situations in the hospitals.
ABDELAZIZ (voice over): For now Vienna's beloved Christmas markets must close. A nationwide lockdown could last up to 20 days. And even when
restrictions are lifted, rules will remain in place for the unvaccinated. The government's message, holiday joy is for the immune.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABDELAZIZ: Becky, just to give you an idea of how these restrictions are playing out at vaccination centers like this one? The doctor that runs the
center told us they are seeing 10 times I'm going to repeat that 10 times as many people getting vaccinated as they did just a couple of weeks ago.
The message here is clear from the authorities if you remain unvaccinated life will become difficult. It'll be difficult to access social life, it
will be difficult to enjoy the holiday season. And the authorities say this is absolutely necessary even though they're taking this very bold step
again the first country in Europe to mandate, require vaccines.
They say this is the only way to contain the virus to contain the infection rates for experts also warning vaccinations are not enough we may very well
be in out of restrictions as a new normal Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes, and I wonder whether this picture will be replicated each elsewhere. Some of the German Health Minister very blunt earlier today he
said by the end of the winter Germans will be vaccinated recovered or dead and further COVID checks being implemented today in Bavaria. What is the
wider Europe story here?
ABDELAZIZ: Well, that is really the question here Becky because we have you're being tested for the first time after vaccinations were rolled out
at the beginning of this year. You have the perfect storm experts tell us because many of us bought our vaccine a few months ago so that means waning
immunity at the same time transmission rates are much higher during the winter.
[10:10:00]
ABDELAZIZ: One expert telling me it's 40 percent higher transmission rates in the winter season. You have hospitals already having to care for people
who are ill with things other than COVID-19. So limited capacity there in the hospitals and of course you have COVID fatigue.
People who feel they've already given up their holiday season last year; they've been under restrictions for almost two years. Now they simply don't
want to go back into lockdowns again. But I will repeat what the doctors and nurses told me right here in this vaccination center.
They say these restrictions work because they force people to understand that their choice is not an individual choice. It does impact society at
large. I mean, we were at that demonstration, you heard some of those people, accusing the government of curbing their civil liberties of curbing
their personal freedoms and their right to choose the vaccine.
But the authorities here say this is no longer about the individual. This is about the health care system being on the brink. This is about the
vulnerable, which get very sick and unwell. It's about coming out and making sure that society has that layer of protection, that layer of
immunity.
But again, experts are saying look; you're going to have to have more restrictions in place. Other countries also looking at emulating Austria so
this is really a case study here Becky?
ANDERSON: Absolutely. Salma, thank you! Salma is in Vienna for you. Meantime Romania is in the grips of a fourth wave of infections. Hundreds
of Romanians are dying from the virus each day misinformation and vaccine hesitancy being blamed. This map breaks it down for you.
It shows vaccine percentages across Europe the darker a country is shaded the larger the percentage of people who are vaccinated. Romania has among
the lowest rates in Europe, with around only 36 percent fully vaccinated. Our Senior International Correspondent Ben Wedeman is there. He's live in
the Romanian Capital of Bucharest. Ben, you've seen firsthand the toll this fourth wave is having on the healthcare system there. What's the latest?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the latest is that it does seem that the numbers are starting to go down. Today the daily
death toll was less than 200. So we are perhaps on the other side of the fourth wave.
But medical personnel we've spoken with have said they are very worried that because of the low rate of vaccination, that this country could very
soon be into a fifth wave of COVID. And the level of hesitance it varies depending on where you are here in Bucharest, it's relatively higher than
the rest of the country in the countryside.
In some areas, for instance, we went to about 10 percent of the population is vaccinated and what we're seeing is that there is resistance for many
people as a result of fake news and misinformation and superstition.
One interesting report widely reported in the local media today is that the health authorities are now investigating a priest who apparently told all
of the people during a service who were vaccinated to leave the church and those who are wearing masks to take them off.
So there does seem to be some deep held resistance to the vaccines now even though today for instance, nearly 700,000 Pfizer vaccines arrived in the
country. The question is, is anybody going to take them Becky?
ANDERSON: Ben Wedeman is in Bucharest. Ben, thank you! Well, as parts of Europe tighten restrictions as they try to cope with what are these fourth
or possibly fifth waves New Zealand relaxing their restrictions. Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has announced the entire country including its
biggest City Auckland will open up for vaccinated people in December.
New Zealand abandoned its zero COVID strategy last month. I recently spoke with the Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta who is said a country is ready to
have a normal summer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NANAIA MAHUTA, NEW ZEALAND FOREIGN MINISTER: Our pain to reengage and reconnect with the girl - with the world involves greater confidence around
our health response, ensuring that our economic response is one that has set in place messages around resilience because people have had to operate
differently and they've used the time of COVID to be able to pervert some of the operating practice.
Understanding what new normal will start to look like, we are keen to ensure that not only can New Zealanders have a summer, but playing with
greater confidence in vigilance around COVID and certainly when we can reopen borders that will be a clear signal that we're really for business.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[10:15:00]
ANDERSON: Well, that was a part of a wide ranging discussion I had with New Zealand's Foreign Minister you can hear more of our interview including our
thoughts on vaccine hesitancy in New Zealand in the next hour do stay with us for that. This of course is a two hour show.
Well, there are so many fast moving developments on the global COVID situation. We're here to try and help you make sense of it all. We'll
access the latest Coronavirus news from around the world from vaccine mandates to the latest travel restrictions that is all @cnn.com.
Right you're with "Connect the World". I'm Becky Anderson. Up next, a video call between a Chinese tennis star and the International Olympic Committee
why critics are still asking questions? Also ahead after years of boycotting elections, Venezuela's opposition takes a gamble in local
elections against the president's ruling party. Whether the gamble paid off is up next?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: More concern, more skepticism and more questions than answers I'm afraid. Critics say they have doubts about Tennis Star Peng Shuai's video
call with the International Olympic Committee. The IOC says Peng in its words was very clear in confirming that she is safe and well and has agreed
to meet the IOC President in Beijing in January.
But the Women's Tennis Association isn't so sure; keep in mind Peng disappeared from public view nearly three weeks ago after accusing a Former
Chinese official of sexual assault. The IOC doesn't mention the allegation. CNN's Will Ripley brings us more on what is the latest development.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Olympics organizers trying to calm the controversy over Chinese Tennis Star Peng Shuai. Less than three
months before the Beijing Winter Games the International Olympic Committee releasing a statement appearing to support the Chinese government narrative
that the three time Olympian is doing just fine despite growing concern for her freedom.
A 30 minute video call Peng IOC President Thomas Bach and two other officials CNN not allowed seeing the video and IOC statements summarizing
the call with Peng saying she is safe and well living at her home in Beijing, but would like to have her privacy respected at this time.
No mention of Peng's explosive allegations three weeks ago that one of China's most senior communist leaders sexually assaulted her. Claims
quickly scrubbed from Chinese social media.
CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORTS ANALYST: The IOC seems to be so meek taking an incredibly meek and frankly pathetic path to dealing with China when of
course the IOC holds this great gift it's the Olympic Games.
[10:20:00]
BRENNAN: And they have power there is leverage in the IOC.
RIPLEY (voice over): That leverage apparently being used to bolster the communist party line. China under growing pressure from the White House,
the United Nations International Tennis stars, Beijing seeking to quickly turn the page state media releasing these videos of Peng over the weekend
out and about in Beijing at a youth tennis tournament at a famous - Restaurant, where the conversation just happens to mention the date
November 21st, repeatedly.
CNN has no way to verify the videos we can't confirm when they were taken. These videos shared on Twitter, a platform blocked inside China, Chinese
state media eagerly tweeting updates and images of Peng totally ignoring the story in their own country.
Unlike the IOC, the Women's Tennis Association taking a much harder stance, demanding direct communication with Peng unmonitored uncensored. This WTA
statement to CNN says this video does not change our call for a full fair and transparent investigation. Without Censorship, the WTA prepared to pull
its billion dollar business out of China.
BRENNAN: When the history books look back at this time, they will say the WTA what an incredible master class and humanitarian leadership, the right
way to do it to call China on its abuses. And the International Olympic Committee sitting there, as they always do, basically doing nothing.
RIPLEY (voice over): Which makes some say the IOC is complicit in the apparent silencing of a tennis icon, who dared to speak out against a
Chinese Leader. Will Ripley, CNN, Taipei.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is celebrating a big victory for his socialist party. In local elections on Sunday, preliminary results
show the ruling party won 21 out of 24 contests across the country, including in the Capital of Caracas.
Now this election marked the first time that opposition candidates have actually participated since they started boycotting elections in 2018. Now,
turnout was less than 42 percent. Journalist Stefano Pozzebon joining me live from Caracas. Stefano why did the opposition in the end decide to
participate? After all, they've been boycotting elections the past three years?
STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNALIST: Yes, exactly. Becky, these elections, the real difference of with previous elections that the government of embattled
leader Nicolas Maduro had previously claimed that mark the return of the opposition to the balance if you want.
You know, sign that the opposition has realized that the big gamble to oust Maduro, through other means in 2018 and 2020, with the rise of opposition
leader Juan Gerardo Guaido that was recognized by a plethora of countries around the world that didn't work.
And now they're back essentially, to square one front in - authoritarian government. By going to the poll, the big difference was that for the first
time in several years, we have international observers here in Caracas that yesterday were able to monitor the election to observe with firsthand how
an election is fought in Venezuela with a disproportionate advantage for the Socialist Party for the government of Nicolas Maduro?
There's actually no difference between the party, the state and the government itself. And these is that what is behind these results with
Maduro's party winning in - and a lot of the opposition voters simply not bother in turning up in - at the ballot and that's why you see 42 percent
only of turnout.
The numbers are still preliminary. It could be that one or two states so go either way, still, because the counter of the vote is not fully finalized.
But still it's a sign of how strong Maduro is currently here in Caracas, how entrenched to power he is and how comfortable he feels about inviting
for the first time to since 2005, inviting the European Union to monitor the election because he's messages. I am the leader here - square.
ANDERSON: 24 minutes past 11 where you are, Stephanie. Thank you. Chile, headed for a runoff next month in its presidential election and the two top
candidates are polar opposites when it comes to politics hard right Former Congressman Jose Antonio Kast will face leftist's lawmaker and Former
Protest Leader Gabrielle Boric in a December the 19th run off the details from Rafael Romo.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAFAEL ROMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Polls had shown it for weeks and now it's confirmed two candidates polar opposites in a crowded field of
seven will advance to a run off until a presidential election.
[10:25:00]
ROMO (on camera): Jose Antonio Kast the candidates of the hard right came out ahead in Sunday's election, with about 28 percent of the votes but less
than 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff. And his government plan the 55 year old attorney speaks about Liberty order the rule of law, private
property and a free market economy.
He's been compared to leaders like Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Brazil's current President Jair Bolsonaro. Cast has proposed building a
three meter ditch at strategic points of Chile's northern border to stop the flow of immigrants from countries like Bolivia.
Gabrielle Boric leftist former student leader who's 35 years old, came in second with about 25 percent of the votes. He supports abortion rights
champions that welfare state model and leads a coalition that includes Chile's Communist Party.
The elections happened two years after massive protests and riots, the left at least 30 dead and hundreds injured. Protesters were demanding better
government programs and an end to inequality as a result of the protests that convention was called to rewrite the constitution, a process that is
ongoing.
Kast and Boric will face off again on December 19 when the presidential elections second round will be held. The winner will replace current
presidents - a conservative whose four year term and in March. Rafael Romo, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, finally free U.S. Christian group got some good news after again in Haiti released two kidnap missionaries but what about those who
are still being held? And you may not recognize her face but the support she promotes is growing fast in the Middle East and so is the fan base;
details on that are just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back! I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. You're watching "Connect the World". I want to get you back to our top story now at least
five people are dead after a vehicle run over performers and bystanders at a Christmas Parade in Wisconsin. Terrifying video from the parade route
shows the red SUV almost hitting a young girl only moments before it ran over dozens of people.
Now police do have a person of interest as they describe them in custody. It is early in the investigation but at this point, sources say it appears
to have been a case of someone fleeing from another crime scene not a premeditated act of terrorism for example.
[10:30:00]
ANDERSON: This is what it sounded like as police saw what was happening?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Maroon Ford Escape just blew past the - at Highwell into the parade route.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have multiple casualties, need multiple 10-52s --. We're probably going to need to take some people on our own to different
hospitals. We can't all go to Waukesha.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, CNN's Natasha Chen has been following the story. She joins us live from the scene. I know we are waiting on more information from
authorities. What do we know at this point?
CHEN: Well, Becky, that's right, they plan on giving another update in just a few hours. But for now, we are standing close to Main Street where the
parade route was and you can sort of see in the distance there that investigators still have markings on the ground, they still - we can still
see people's belongings clothing strewn across the street here.
Things that were abandoned in a hurry in that shocking, horrifying moment where we are as about three blocks west of where the red SUV initially hit
the first group of people. What police told us last night is that they do have a person of interest in custody; they have located that red SUV in
question.
And that as you said, now we are learning investigators don't believe this was planned out. They believe that it's possible the suspect was fleeing
the scene of another incident and drove through this parade full of people knocking over rolling over people in a marching band, injuring and killing
people young and old.
We know that there were many children injured in this one of the local children's hospitals last night so they were treating at least 15 of them.
And a group called "The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies" posted on Facebook today saying that among the victims who were killed are members of their
dancing group and that they were passionate dancing grannies.
It's just very upsetting to this small, close knit community. I talked to some witnesses who saw this red SUV blazing through you know, what was
probably the first half of the parade. And it was around 4:30 pm local time. They did not have this parade last year we're told because of COVID-
19 but so this was a gathering a celebration where families were happy and it suddenly turns tragic.
Again, we are hoping to hear more about why this person was driving through at a press update in the next few hours Becky?
ANDERSON: Yes, so sad. Thank you. Well, two of the 17 American and Canadian missionaries kidnapped in Haiti are now free that's according to Christian
Aid Ministries. U.S. and Haitian authorities have largely kept quiet about the release.
The White House welcoming the reports but he didn't give any further comment. Again captured a group of about a month ago nears the Haitian
Capital of Port-au-Prince it demanded a ransom of a million dollars per hostage. Well, my colleague Matt Rivers reported on this story from Haiti.
He joins us now from Mexico City where he's based and we do appreciate you making time for us on this. What more can you tell us about what is this
long awaited release?
MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you know, Becky, we had gone weeks without having any substantive updates about the status of these hostages.
In fact, the last status update that we got was when I was back in Haiti a few weeks ago with our team, and we got the update that ended up being a
death threat from the leader of 400 Mawozo, which is the gang that authority say kidnapped these people, and there's a death threat made
against these hostages.
So the last we'd heard it was not good. So this came totally out of the blue unexpectedly yesterday afternoon when we got the news from Christian
Aid Ministries that two of the 17 had been released at this point, which was obviously unexpected, but very good news that Christian Aid Ministries
in a group are in a statement rather saying in part that the two had been released are safe in good spirits and being cared for.
Also saying that they cannot provide or confirm the names of those released the reasons for their released where they are from or their current
location because of security concerns surrounding those two people also because of the 15 hostages that still remain, you know, trapped with that
gang at this point.
And that is something that I think we should really have highlight here as great of news as this is the two of the 17 missionaries have been released
at this point.
[10:35:00]
RIVERS: There are still 15 that are in very tough conditions. You said it right off the top, they were kidnapped on October 16th. It's been well over
a month, we understand the conditions where they're being held. I mean, they're not staying in a hotel, we certainly know that. And so Becky, that
is the current situation. And so we're just going to have to wait and see as these negotiations go on, for the release of the remaining 15.
ANDERSON: And just reminders briefly, I mean, we're talking about some kids involved here, some very little children involved here. What do we know
about this gang briefly remind us? What's their form?
RIVERS: Well so - well so this gang is one of the most powerful no question in the Port-au-Prince area. They control a big suburb of Port-au-Prince
called - which is where this group was taken. And this is an area that is basically a no go zone, not only for journalists, but also for NGOs,
largely.
And so one of the big questions that everyone has had is well, what was this group doing there in the first place? And why didn't the organization
that they were working for tell them to avoid that area? But you're right there are young children involved the youngest being an infant under a year
old. And so you can only imagine what those people are going through at this point.
ANDERSON: Matt Rivers is back at base in Mexico City today, Matt, thank you! Well, F1 made history over the weekend in Qatar. A look at its first
ever race held there and how F1 is expanding in the Middle East and beyond. That is up next.
And look who is back on the golf course an update on Tiger Woods, his recovery from what were life threatening injuries? We're taking a short
break back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: The inaugural Qatar Grand Prix is in the books. Lewis Hamilton, who you saw on this show Friday in his rainbow helmet to promote LGBTQ
rights' is the winner. The past weekend's race is the first of three who on F1's groundbreaking Middle East swing.
F1's Chloe Targett-Adams talked to our Amanda Davis about expansion in this region, and future plans to expand globally have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHLOE TARGETT-ADAMS, F1 GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF RACE PROMOTION: Well, this is a really exciting region for us. If we think about, you know, Saudi Arabia
would have population 70 percent of which are under 30 is a huge growth market for Formula One.
We've been able to raise here for you know, number of years with Bahrain, our original now turning into a legacy Middle Eastern race in the success
of Abu Dhabi, so being able to then add Saudi Arabia and Qatar now from 2023 for 10 years it gives us that really good basis to grow the fan base
in the - region in a way that we've never been able to activate before.
[10:40:00]
AMANDA DAVIS, CNN WORLD SPORT: Is it just about money from an F1 perspective is it just about money?
TARGETT-ADAMS: No. Because if it was, we would be looking at a very different calendar, potentially, again, it is about the growth of the fan
base and being able to activate the audience, the younger audience that are here that want to be entertained with sports, and to attend live events.
And to really get behind what Formula One is, is a wider proposition.
DAVIS: People would say why more races in the Middle East, yet we still have the whole of Africa. Why is that?
TARGETT-ADAMS: Well, I can say is watch this space. It's a project we're working on, for, you know, and we really hope that over the next whether
that's 2023 or 2024, we will finally have a race in Africa. Again, it is a priority. You know, we have got between 9 to 11 races in the in Europe. So
yes, we do have four in the Middle East.
But if you think about the size of Europe, proportionally, and the population, it's where the sports started. It's the history has good
rationale. There's good factors but again, it's about the globalization of our calendar, and how we grow that across both, you know, North America,
South America, with the, you know, immense success we're having in those markets and likewise, in China.
DAVIS: There is of course, a lot of criticism, about F1 coming to this region, with the human rights concerns that the treatment of women as a
woman how does you feel about that? What is your response?
TARGETT-ADAMS: It is something we engage with. We engage with it right from the start of the process, because it's important to us that we know that we
can work in a way that is in line with our values. We have strong guarantees in our contracts that we have with our hosts, and with our race
destinations about upholding those values and principles, and it's a catalyst to change.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That's F1 for you. For fans of Tiger Woods he has just released video is a long time coming. Woods posted a video of himself taking
practice swings. It is the first time the world has seen him hitting a golf ball since a car crash in February left him with life threatening injuries.
The video was captioned making progress. Well, if that's him making progress, we'll wrap up and go home Alex Thomas, it's great to see him back
on the course, isn't it?
ALEX THOMAS, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yes, we're not saying he's going to be back competing at the highest level again or winning a major although let's talk
about it past him if anyone can come back again.
It would probably be Tiger Woods but just encouraging to see him hitting the shots. Looks like a good compression sock on his right leg that was
hurt so badly. Just pitching wedge, but it certainly got the golf world talking. He's just still such a big draw for the game.
ANDERSON: Isn't he just? World Sport up next we're back after that stay with us.
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