[Updated] The International Triathlon Union has decided to suspend all activities until the 30th April, which includes the event which was set to be held in Bermuda next month.
A spokesperson said, “In the light of the rapid spread worldwide of COVID-19, the Executive Board of the International Triathlon Union has decided to suspend all activities until the 30th April.
“The measure includes the suspension of all the competitions in the World Triathlon calendar, courses, camps and other activities, and therefore all the World Ranking, Olympic Qualification Ranking, Paratriathlon Ranking and Paralympic Qualification Rankings will be immediately frozen, from Monday 16th of March 2020.”
World Triathlon President and IOC member, Marisol Casado, said: “This is a decision that is hard to take, and you can have my word that we are taking it with the health and safety of athletes, coaches, officials, facilitators, staff, volunteers and spectators, all the triathlon family, as the top priority.
“We are taking this decision convinced that we all have to take our part to prevent and stop the spread of the virus. It is our responsibility, as a society. And having our athletes, coaches, officials and staff travelling around the world at this challenging time is not something that we in World Triathlon are willing to risk”.
“All the events in the World Triathlon and Continental calendars will be immediately postponed until further notice. ITU strongly recommends all the affiliated National Federations to extend the measures as well in their territories, to avoid spreading the virus. All World Triathlon staff will be working from home during these weeks.
“World Triathlon will continue working during this time to try to reallocate the events after the 30th 0f April when possible and will work with all stakeholders to undertake further actions if needed regarding the Olympic and Paralympic qualification rankings.
“World Triathlon will continue evaluating the situation on a daily basis and will announce any further change in the situation as soon as possible to all stakeholders when this happens.”
Update 11:40am: A spokesperson from the Local Organising Committee of the MS Amlin World Triathlon Bermuda said, “In the interest of public health and safety with the rapid worldwide spread of COVID-19, the Executive Board of the International Triathlon Union [ITU] has suspended all World Triathlon activities until April 30, 2020.
“This affects next month’s MS Amlin World Triathlon Bermuda, scheduled for April 18. To date, Bermuda remains free of the coronavirus with no confirmed cases and the Bermuda government has taken the necessary and precautionary measures to protect the island. Bermuda’s Premier David Burt has asked organisers of all events involving 50 or more people, to postpone activities.”
Chair of World Triathlon Bermuda, Hazel Clark, said, “These are unusual and challenging times for us all in Bermuda and we will continue to work in the best interest of our stakeholders and visitor participants. Situations such as this present the opportunity for us to display the best of humanity as we navigate the impact of coronavirus as a community.”
The spokesperson said, “World Triathlon Bermuda is contacting all stakeholders and athletes with information about the postponement and will update the public on future plans as more information on rescheduling the event becomes available.”
