by Alfonz Juck
Coronavirus COVID-19, from Journalist Resource
We thank EME News on daily updates (done by Steven Mills and Paul Halford with Alfons Juck) of how the virus is affecting the sport…
VIRUS IMPACT
TOKYO (JPN): IOC President Thomas Bach has dismissed claims the IOC was hesitant in postponing the 2020 Olympics, informs insidethegames.biz. “In such emotional situations, as a responsible person, you cannot make decisions based on gut instinct. We really cannot be accused of hesitation or lack of advice and transparency. In order to counter conspiracy theories, it must be said clearly that the IOC was insured against a cancellation, but not insured in the case of a postponement. For a postponement, however, the approval of the Organising Committee, which must be willing to work a year longer, is required, and the Japanese Government must be willing to continue to support the preparations,” he said.
TOKYO (JPN): The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Flame is no longer on public view as one of the measures designed to prevent the spread of coronavirus, informs insidethegames.biz. Tokyo 2020 chief executive Toshiro Muto said the Flame was being kept “under supervision of the Organising Committee” but did not specify the exact location.
SAPPORO (JPN): The Japanese city of Sapporo, which is set to host the marathon and race walking events at next year’s Olympics, has returned to a state of emergency to limit the spread of COVID-19, informs insidethegames.biz. Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki told reporters: “We are facing a crisis of a second wave in the spread of infections.”
KINGSTON (JAM): Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) President Warren Blake is hopeful the Jamaican Championships can be staged on the weekend of 9-10 August, informs the Jamaica Gleaner. “I think if everything improves and settles down, then definitely, we will be going with that date. Once the threat of the outbreak has receded, then we will be going for that date,” he said.
BRUSSELS (BEL): The Belgian Championships have been pushed back from 27-28 June to 15-16 August, informs sport.be.
KYIV (UKR): All Ukrainian Championships scheduled for May have either been cancelled or postponed, informs FLAU.
SOFIA (BUL): All Balkan Championships scheduled for May and June will be rescheduled, informs FLAU.
UTICA (USA): The 43rd edition of the Utica Boilermaker 15 km road race has been postponed from July 12, to September 13, due to the COVID19 pandemic, organizers announced today. The iconic road race in Utica, N.Y., held in early July every year since 1978, is the first major July road race to announce a postponement or cancellation for 2020 due to the pandemic. From RRW.
NEW YORK (USA): A new virtual racing series, the McKirdy Mile, provides runners of all abilities with a free, safe, and socially-distanced racing opportunity during the COVID19 pandemic. In a series of four events over an eight-week period to be held in May and June, runners can register to run a mile alone using their GPS-enabled device and compete against others running the same distance (miles cannot be run on a track). Series organizer James McKirdy of McKirdy Trained calls it “a virtual event designed to give runners a purposeful distance to train for and ‘race’ during this time.” From RRW.
BOGOTA (COL): The 21st edition of Bogota Half Marathon planned for July 26 was postponed to July 25 next year 2021.
CHANIA (GRE): The Venizelia-Chania 2020 meeting scheduled for May 31 has been canceled and will be held in 2021. The meet is part of World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze level. All domestic events are suspended until May 17 in Greece.
