by Alfonz Juck
Coronavirus, photo by Journalist Resource
This is the update for 17 March 2020 from EME News.
VIRUS IMPACT
MOSCOW (RUS): Russian mountain running championships in Zheleznovodsk on March 21 and Russian cross country cup in Kislovodsk on March 28 will not be cancelled, but should be held without spectators. The relevant order was signed by RusAF president Yevgeniy Yurchenko to prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to this order, all members of the national athletics team including coaches and staff as well as all RusAF full-time employees are prohibited from traveling to countries with an unfavourable epidemiological situation (including transit transfers in these countries). Also, everyone who returned from a country with an unfavourable epidemiological situation must ensure 14-day quarantine.
LONDON (GBR): UK Anti-Doping Chief Executive, Nicole Sapstead said: “We are acutely aware of the effect that the COVID-19 virus is having on society, sport and the wider sporting community, both here in the UK and globally. With the cancellation of sporting events and recent UK Government advice concerning the control of the virus, we have reviewed our operational activity and are announcing a significant reduction in our testing programme. We will continue to process intelligence and will act on that information. If anyone has information that could be of interest to UKAD and its investigations on any matter, please do contact us as usual.”
BIRMINGHAM (GBR): The Home Country Athletics Federations (HCAFs) in cooperation with UK Athletics have decided to suspend all planned in person and face to face organised athletics activity until the end of April where the situation will be reviewed once more. This decision has been taken jointly and unanimously following detailed consultation between all five organisations and is in accordance with the directives outlined by the government through the Prime Minister in his statement on Monday afternoon.
ROMA (ITA): Italian federation president Alfio Giomi answered current question for FIDAL website. He said preparations for Olympic Games are not stopping. “Our athletics family is going through this tough times with a smile, as it is shown by the large number of photos and videos that have arrived for our campaign on social networks to raise awareness of training from home,” said Giomi. He also commented on Golden Gala DL which is planned for May 29: “More than ever on the way to organise it. We monitor what is happening. We will evaluate the situation, also taking into account the football calendar and the availability of foreign athletes “. Giomi also confirmed that he remains confident for staging of European U18 Championships in Rieti in July.
LAUSANNE (SUI): The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will not hold any in-person hearings until May 1 at the earliest in response to the coronavirus pandemic, raising the possibility of delays to cases including Russia’s dispute with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In a statement, the CAS said it had encouraged arbitrators and parties to have hearings by video conference or cancel them altogether, and consider evidence based on written submissions. From insidethegames.
ELDORET (KEN): Kenyan County authorities say they’re following President Uhuru’s Kenyatta’s orders to suspend all public gatherings. Athletics fraternity has been hit hard following orders to close high altitude training camps in the North Rift region as a way of curbing the spread of coronavirus. Governors of three North Rift counties; Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu, on Monday ordered closure of all training camps, plunging athletes’ preparations for both local and international races into confusion. It was not clear whether the third edition of Eldoret City marathon would take place on April 19 as earlier announced. From East Standard.
PLIEZHAUSEN (GER): The traditional meet at unusual distances in Pliezhausen this year including German 10 000 m championships and planned for May 9-10 was cancelled. In this part of Germany (Baden-Wurttemberg) all events are forbidden to be staged until June 15. Also hammer meet in Frankisch-Crumbach (May 30-June 1) and 44th Leipzig Marathon (April 26) are cancelled.
GUADALAJARA (ESP): Triple Jump World champion Yulimar Rojas is also affected and not able to train due to current situation in Spain. She can only leave the house to buy food, go to a pharmacy or take a short walk. “Hello. I am at home all day. We cannot be on the street, only for what is necessary. We are fine. For now we will train as we can. The track is closed. You have to be calm and take good care of yourself. This will happen with the help of God,” she wrote on her twitter. Writes El Mundo Deportivo.
VANCOUVER (CAN): The organisers announced that the annual Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic, scheduled for Burnaby’s Swangard Stadium, Saturday, May 30, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus.
