by Alfonz Juck
Coronavirus, photo by Journalist Resource
This is the update on how the coronavirus affects the global sport of athletics today…
VIRUS IMPACT
BIRMINGHAM (GBR): The New Balance English Schools Track & Field Championships, which were due to be held on 10-11 July, have been cancelled due to coronavirus. The event was due to have been the 90th edition. From athleticsweekly.com.
PRETORIA (RSA): Athletes and coaches will receive financial support from the South African government, sports minister Nathi Mthethwa has said. “Athletes who were confirmed to participate at events that have now been cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19, and whose income is generated solely through specific sporting events will be eligible for relief,” he said. From iol.co.za.
CHIBA (JPN): The organizing committee of the Chiba Aqualine Marathon 2020 planned for October 18, announced that the race will be canceled. The decision to cancel the event was made earlier in the day at the organizing committee’s general meeting at the Chiba Prefectural Government headquarters.
SARON (ESP): New date of the Road Mile in Cayon is October 12, informs Spanish federation. Initial date was May 10.
SABADELL (ESP): The place of annual international indoor meet in Barcelona area will now become a hospital. It will offer between 250-300 places for the people in need.
HAVANA (CUB): Two-time world 800m champion Ana Quirot retired from competition in 1998, but is still staying ahead of her opponents. In this case, the Coronavirus. Quirot and her husband were visiting friends in Torino, Italy, last month when the first signs of the virus began to emerge there. She immediately decided to return home, and traveled via Madrid, where she also spent a few days. The virus hit there as well – three days later she was home, in self-isolation, before staying home became public policy. Now she’s using some of that time to sew face masks for family, friends and neighbors – anyone who might need one. Writes World Athletics.
ROMA (ITA): Italian federation FIDAL suspended all competition activities until May 31. The leaders of the federation also prepared a road map for events in case the situation will improve. Senior national championships would be staged in La Spezia on July 25-26.
TURKU (FIN): Organisers of the Paavo Nurmi Games (WA Continental Tour Gold) informed about a new date for the meeting, August 11. It is Tuesday later in that week also Finnish National Championships are planned to be held in Turku. The initial date of the meetings was June 9. Informs sul.fi.
