The International Triathlon Union (ITU), in consultation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, has taken the decision to postpone the 2020 ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Paratriathlon World Cup and Abu Dhabi Mixed Relay event.
This event postponement is a precautionary measure to reduce the spread of 2019-nCoV Coronavirus. It follows a recent decision by ITU to move the 2020 Chengdu ITU Mixed Relay Olympic qualification event to the city of Valencia (Spain). This is due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus outbreak in China.
The event was due to take place from March 5 to March 7 in Yas Island, in Abu Dhabi, where some cases of Coronavirus have been reported. Although the Abu Dhabi authorities are working on measures so that the safety of all the athletes, coaches and officials participating in the event is the main concern, due to the new World Health Organization recommendations and the spread of the virus, ITU and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council jointly agreed to postpone the event.
ITU, the local organizing committee and Abu Dhabi Sports Council are looking at possible dates for relocating the event later on in March or April.
Around 300 elite athletes and more than 2500 age group athletes were planned to toe the start line in all the different WTS Abu Dhabi events. All participants have been informed of the postponement, and will be advised of the new dates as soon as agreed.
‘Travel restrictions and quarantines imposed by some countries and airlines for individuals and groups travelling from or to areas affected by the outbreak make it impossible to go ahead with the event in the planned dates, but all stakeholders are working tirelessly against the clock to find a new date to host the event.’
