The 2021 World Triathlon Sprint & Relay Championship — which Bermuda was scheduled to host next month — will not take place this year, officials have just confirmed.
The event, which Bermuda’s Olympic gold medalist Flora Duffy was scheduled to compete in, will not take place, with organisers citing an analysis that “considered the island’s recent spike in Covid-19 infections in addition to the Bermuda Hospital’s elevated Covid-19 patient intake.”
A spokesperson said, “After extensive discussions with Bermuda’s health and government authorities, the Bermuda Local Organising Committee and World Triathlon have made the difficult decision that the 2021 World Triathlon Sprint & Relay Championship will not take place this year.
“Bermuda was ready to welcome hundreds of participants from all over the world from October 15 to 17. However, changing conditions on the ground demanded that the programme’s safety plan be reviewed. Using a tool provided by the World Health Organisation [WHO], the Organising Committee and the World Triathlon conducted a risk assessment on the event.
“The analysis considered the island’s recent spike in Covid-19 infections in addition to the Bermuda Hospital’s elevated Covid-19 patient intake, and the Organising Committee in consultation with World Triathlon made the decision not to proceed with the October event. The health and safety of all athletes, coaches, staff, contractors, volunteers, and the people of the island was the primary consideration.
“The whole World Triathlon family is disheartened that the global pandemic continues to impact our events, but we are committed to returning to Bermuda. We are confident in the island’s rigorous pandemic management and reputation of delivering safe, outstanding sporting events. Conversations are taking place presently to identify other exciting future opportunities, including a triathlon on the island of Bermuda.”
Hazel Clark, Chairman of the World Triathlon Series Bermuda [WTS Bermuda] said, “We are disappointed that Bermuda will not be able to stage the Championship in 2021 yet appreciate that safety for Bermuda’s residents and visitors will always be the priority.
“The Bermuda Tourism Authority, our local organising committee, and sponsors have invested significant resources in preparation for this pinnacle endurance event, and their efforts are gratefully acknowledged. We look forward to repurposing the resources and building on the groundwork that has been laid for a future event that will benefit all of Bermuda.”-
The text below is from the event website, describing the plans for the now cancelled event:
“Bermuda will host the 2021 World Triathlon Sprint & Relay Championships next October 15–17.
“The three-day, multiple-championships programme, to be staged in the City of Hamilton, will include a brand new event—Super-sprint racing for the Elite World Championship Series—along with the Junior [U19] World Championships, Age-Group Sprint World Championships, Mixed Relay World Championships for all categories, as well as an Open division for non-qualifiers.
“The full programme comprises:
- “Elite World Championship Series event on Super-sprint [qualifiers, repechage, finals]
- “Junior [U19] World Championships on Sprint distance
- “Age-Group World Championships on Sprint distance
- “Elite Mixed Relay World Championships
- “Junior/U23 Mixed Relay World Championships
- “Age-Group Mixed Relay World Championships
- “Open Race [registrants in cancelled 2020 event to receive priority]”
