In light of the recent news reports of the COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne and border closures in South Australia, Athletics Australia wishes to advise that the 2021 Australian 20km Race Walking Championships scheduled for this Sunday, 14th February will now be postponed.
Athletics Australia CEO Darren Gocher said the decision was based on the health and safety of the Australian athletics community, many of whom were planning to travel from Melbourne to Adelaide compete and attend the Championships.
“We understand that this news will be incredibly disappointing to athletes who have been training for the Australian 20km Race Walking Championships, however the welfare of our community must come first,” Gocher said.
“The majority of our athletes who are scheduled to compete this Sunday are travelling from Melbourne, as are our staff and technical judges who are also based there. We want our community to be able to get the necessary refunds on travel if they possibly can.
“We also want to make sure that everyone who was supposed to be in attendance still gets that experience, so it only makes sense for us to postpone the Championships.”
Athletics Australia will now begin executing its contingency plan, which will be to hold the event on Saturday, 27th March in conjunction with the Australian 50km Race Walking Championships in Melbourne. More details are to come.
For more information, please contact:
Sascha Ryner
Media and Communications Manager
M: 0416 858 419
E: sascha.ryner@athletics.org.au
