Wer die norwegische COVID-19-Politik der letzten Monate und Wochen mitverfolgte, hatte schon lange eine böse Vorahnung. Nun ist es Gewissheit, European Athletics informierte heute Vormittag alle Mitgliedsverbände mit nachfolgendem Schreiben. Gespräche mit einem eventuellen Ersatz-Ausrichter gibt es bereits, die Hoffnung, dass die U23-EM dann nach den Olympischen Spielen stattfinden wird, lebt.
Das Schreiben von European Athletics im Original
European Athletics has been informed by Norwegian Athletics that despite intensive discussions with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Health, it was unable to obtain an exemption from the strict entry quarantine rules in place due to Covid-19, and therefore that the European Athletics U23 Championships planned for 8 to 11 July will not take place in Bergen, Norway.
Despite a review earlier this week by the Norwegian government on their policy, it was not deemed possible to grant an exemption for this event, nor was it possible to receive a definitive answer as to when the quarantine requirements in Norway might be lifted. In these circumstances the only option was therefore to cancel the European U23 Championships in Norway.
In the coming days, European Athletics will investigate the possibility of finding a new host for the European U23 Championships at a date later in the summer, most probably after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.