2021 World Athletics Championships 'could be postponed'
What you need to know:
- World Athletics also said they would expedite the current review of the Olympic qualification system, in cooperation with the IOC, and release any changes to the process as soon as possible so athletes know where they stand.
The World Athletics is mulling a decision to push the 2021 Oregon World Championships to 2022 following the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games to next year over the coronavirus pandemic.
A statement from World Athletics on Tuesday said that the athletics governing body is ready to work with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and all sport on an alternative date for the Olympic Games in 2021 and has already been in discussion with the Organising Committee of the World Athletics Championships Oregon 21 regarding the possibility of moving the dates of the event.
"They have reassured us that they will work with all of their partners and stakeholders to ensure that Oregon is able to host the World Athletics Championships on alternative dates, including dates in 2022," said the statement.
World Athletics welcomed the decision of the IOC and the Japanese Government to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to 2021.
"It is what athletes want and we believe this decision will give all athletes, technical officials and volunteers some respite and certainty in these unprecedented and uncertain times," explained the statement.
"In light of this announcement, we will also expedite our current review of the Olympic qualification system, in cooperation with the IOC, and release any changes to the process as soon as possible so athletes know where they stand."
This will also see more events organised by World Athletics being postponed to late 2020 with others being called off altogether as the world tries to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Among the events that could be affected are the World Athletics Continental Tour due May 2 and the World Under-20 Championships planned for July 7-12 all in Nairobi.
