The cancelling of the 2020 Champs could not have been a surprise. This note by EME provides a few more of the details….
No option for postponement
PARIS (FRA): The option of postponing the European Athletics Championships until 2021 could not be retained. European Athletics has also been informed of this. Indeed, the risks linked to the pandemic make the 2021 schedule for international competition very uncertain. Says the release of French Federation and the LOC. There is also a degree of uncertainty with regards to the economic situation, both in France and internationally, and its evolution over the coming months. Within this unique context, Paris Athlé 2020 and the FFA were loath to take the risk of incurring any additional costs inherent with a postponement, thus preserving the future of athletics. By opting to cancel these European Championships now, the FFA, a guarantor of the development and good management of French athletics, states that it is still in a position to defend a balanced budget, guaranteeing the sustainability of its delegated public service mission and the preservation of its jobs. Taking the risk of a (10 to 12-month) postponement in such uncertain conditions could have had disastrous consequences, consequences which obviously run counter to the duty and responsibility of the institution. By taking a longer view, this decision also enables the focus to be switched to the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, with the desire to bounce back, by continuing with the development of skills within the athletics family and by providing athletes in the French team with enhanced preparation for this major event. All the ticket holders as well as those signed up for the 10km Festival Athlé will receive a full refund in line with a procedure that will be communicated in due course on the website www.athle2020.paris.
