by Alfonz Juck
Coronavirus tests, photo by Journalists Resource
This is how the global sport was affected by COVID-19 Pandemic today, on 3 April 2020.
VIRUS IMPACT
MOSCOW (RUS): The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) will not test athletes until the end of April due to the coronavirus pandemic. “The temporary stopping of testing athletes by RUSADA employees was extended to 30 April. In accordance with the latest statement by the president, we have no reason to resume the work. But I can notice that no one will remain out of control. Samples for the blood passport, which will be taken after the pandemic, will tell us everything. But we are doing the rest of the work, albeit remotely. This applies to both educational activities and test planning,” said Deputy Director General of RUSADA Margarita Pakhnotskaya.
MOSCOW (RUS): Russian athletes are currently unable to apply for neutral status, informs sports.ru. “Over the next two months, at least we will not hold any starts. And the status of a neutral athlete applies only to competitions, and now it is not necessary. As soon as clarity with the calendar comes, we will move on to the next step, but no one can tell when this will happen. We need to wait for the pandemic to decline,” said a spokesperson from World Athletics.
ANGERS (FRA): The French Championships in Angers on 19-21 June have been postponed, informs L’Equipe. Proposed new dates (not yet confirmed) could be July 24-26.
BENGALURU (IND): The TCS World 10K in Bengaluru has been rescheduled from 17 May to 13 September due to the coronavirus pandemic, informs organisers.
BERGEN (NOR): Norwegian federation informed they plan to have their national championships at Fana Stadium of Bergen on 18-20 September. Initial dates were June 19-21.
TOKYO (JPN): The Japan Federation has announced that it will postpone the 104th National Championships Combined Events, scheduled for June 13-14 in Nagano, and the 104th National Track and Field Championships, scheduled for June 25-28 in Osaka. Potential dates and venues are being explored for these events to be rescheduled in late September or early July. This will include the previously postponed 10000 m National Championships originally scheduled for May 9. Further details will be announced as soon as they have determined. In addition to the National Championships, all meets organized by the JAAF from April through June have been canceled or postponed. Informs Brett Larner on his blog Japan Running News.
MONTREAL (CAN): The independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) of the WADA held its second meeting of the year to review a number of issues related to the impact that the current COVID-19 pandemic has had on anti-doping programs worldwide. The CRC members endorsed WADA Management’s proposal to implement a series of temporary measures as part of the Agency’s monitoring of Signatory compliance with the Code. This includes postponement of a number of deadlines for ADOs to meet ongoing compliance requirements and complete corrective actions; as well as, a general degree of flexibility in WADA’s global compliance monitoring program during the period. WADA advised ADOs worldwide of these measures; indicated that the CRC will reassess the situation at its next meeting in early July; and, encouraged them to still advance their anti-doping programs where possible during these unprecedented times. From WADA.
