SportAccord 2020 Moving from Beijing

Also: Rugby sevens events in Asia postponed to October; Tokyo 2020 boss says coronavirus won't move Olympics.

Compartir
Compartir articulo
Beijing 18 July 2017: The Beijing Olympic Green, the location for all ice sports (figure skating, short track speed skating, speed skating, ice hockey and curling) as well as the location of the International Broadcast centre and Main Press Centre (large exhibition centre on right) for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Beijing 18 July 2017: The Beijing Olympic Green, the location for all ice sports (figure skating, short track speed skating, speed skating, ice hockey and curling) as well as the location of the International Broadcast centre and Main Press Centre (large exhibition centre on right) for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

(ATR) SportAccord is searching for a new place to host the 2020 edition of its World Sport & Business Summit.

The event, scheduled for Beijing from April 19-24, is the latest to be cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

"Considering the epidemic in China and around the world and taking into account the various factors of such force majeure situation and through consultation with the SportAccord 2020 Local Organizing Committee, we have reached a difficult decision that SportAccord 2020 will not take place in Beijing," Raffaele Chiulli, President SportAccord, said in a statement.

"We do believe that the Chinese Government and people in China have the capabilities to have the final win of the war against the virus," Chiulli added.

SportAccord says it still wants the summit to take place from April 19-24 and is "exploring contingency options" to make that happen.

SportAccord adds that those who had registered for the event in Beijing will be contacted shortly with updates and further information.

The decision by SportAccord comes one day after Formula 1 postponed the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. The F1 race was to be held on April 19, the same day SportAccord 2020 was scheduled to begin in Beijing.

World Rugby Moves Sevens Tournaments

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series events scheduled for Singapore and Hong Kong during the first two weekends of April have been postponed to October.

"The health and safety of our players, fans and everyone working on the event is always our highest priority," World Rugby said on Thursday, citing the coronavirus threat.

"This prudent decision has been taken in order to help protect the global rugby community and the wider public and was taken based on the World Health Organization and relevant public authority travel and health guidelines. The decision is fully supported by stakeholders, including unions and commercial partners."

The two events will now conclude the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2020 with Singapore on Oct. 10-11 and Hong Kong completing the series the next weekend.

Tickets already purchased via official channels will be honored for the rescheduled events and a full refund will be provided for those fans unable to attend in October.

The Hong Kong and Singapore tournaments will return to their usual April slots for 2021.

Tokyo 2020 and Coronavirus

Tokyo 2020 organizers remain adamant that the Summer Games will not be disrupted by the coronavirus threat.

The latest IOC project review for Tokyo 2020 began on Thursday, the same day the first death from the disease in Japan was reported.

According to the Associated Press, Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori told dozens of top IOC officials "I would like to make it clear again that we are not considering a cancellation or postponement of the games. Let me make that clear."

Mori’s comments follow closely those made by Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto a week ago.

But Muto’s stance was a reversal from his initial comments made on Feb. 5 during a project review with the International Paralympic Committee, where he was quoted by AP as saying he was "seriously worried" about the spread of the disease and what it could do to the momentum of the Games.

While the start of the Games is still more than five months away, the torch relay in Japan begins on March 26 in Fukushima. That’s less than six weeks away.

Written by Gerard Farek

For general comments or questions,click here.

Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.

Recent Articles

The Friendship Games organized against Russia against the IOC will have the participation of 70 countries

The World Friendship Games (WFG) will feature competitions in 36 sports and will award 283 medals to the winners. The Russian Government announced that a press conference will soon be held to present them with more details and clarified that the invitations to participate are addressed to athletes and not to countries.
The Friendship Games organized against Russia against the IOC will have the participation of 70 countries

Clues about the pebetero: it will not be in the stadium but in the middle of Paris and in public view

From France, information indicates that the site chosen for the Olympic fire to be lit since July 26 would be the emblematic Tuileries Garden. Official sources did not confirm the fact, but they recognize the idea that it is located in the heart of Paris and in full view of fans.
Clues about the pebetero: it will not be in the stadium but in the middle of Paris and in public view

Nearly a thousand boats will welcome the torch in France

The parade in the Mediterranean will be minutes before disembarkation at the Old Port of Marseille; they must meet certain requirements and apply to participate.
Nearly a thousand boats will welcome the torch in France

France says it will “be ready” to ensure safety at the Olympic Games while raising the alert level

The attack in Moscow threatened the whole of Europe and security in Paris is once again in the spotlight, just four months after the parade of delegations on the Seine River.
France says it will “be ready” to ensure safety at the Olympic Games while raising the alert level

Will Paris 2024 have its red carpet?

Although all the expectations for July 26 are set on an opening ceremony that promises to be extraordinary, it is likely that, in the hour before the party, the world will attend a parade of luminaries from sports, arts and entertainment.
Will Paris 2024 have its red carpet?