RACHAEL THOMPSON-KING
rachael.king@guardain.co.tt
Athletes will have to re-strategise to peak in March when the World Indoor Track and Field Championships is expected to unfold at the same location in Nanjing, China.
This was made known by North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) president Mike Sands in a release posted on Sunday following his organisation's weekly meeting with World Athletics president Sebastian Coe and Chief Executive Officer Jon Ridgeon, on Tuesday.
"All International Federations (IF) agreed to the new dates of the Tokyo Olympics for 2021, World Indoors that had been moved from 2020 will still be in Nanjing, China in March 2021," said Sands in the release, which also added that the World Outdoors will move to 2022 instead of 2021.
"World Athletics has launched, Athletics @ home designed to sustain interest in our sport.
"President Coe noted that the period 2021 through to 2024 would allow for a tremendous amount of athletics being shown on international television, a boon for our sport."
The changes are due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has forced all international and local sports to reschedule major events which T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis had foreseen.
"I anticipated World Track and Field Championships moving to 2022," said Lewis. "The challenge we are facing is extraordinary and unprecedented. It's not just a health crisis but an economic and social crisis."
At the level of NACAC, Sands shared that his organisation are continuing to examine its options regarding a revised Calendar which is being led by Michael Serralta, Competitions Director.
"The hope is that should normalcy return World Athletics would seek to salvage some of the Diamond League and World Athletics Tour competitions.
"We remain hopeful that we could be able to host the Carifta Games in either July or August this year, but it all depends on the status of the fight against COVID-19."
Though hopeful, the TTOC president was less optimistic, saying: "At this point, we can plan and hope for the best but it's looking increasingly that COVID-19 will have a long-standing impact on the sport. I don't see sport realistically holding events before August 2020 and even then, it's going to be a risk."
However, both NACAC and TTOC bodies are still trying to function as best as possible using the available technologies.
"Many thanks to those who have responded to the circular on nominees for NACAC male and female athletes to serve on the World Athletics Youth organisation. Because of the challenges facing all of us we have extended the deadline to April 15. Please participate," said Sands in the release.
"We encourage our MFs (Member Federations) to continue to be in touch with all of their athletes to know what is happening with them in respect to their health status. We must sustain their interest in our sport and be among those who engender hope and confidence in the face of adversity such as currently exists."
Lewis confirmed that the period for which the Commonwealth Youth Games 2021 to be hosted by T&T remains unchanged from August 1-7 2021 as his team continues to prepare for Trinbago2021 through effective social distancing communication means.
"Notwithstanding the stay at home measures, the TTOC and TTCGA (T&T Commonwealth Games Association) are functioning using digital and technology.
"Last week, we had an Olympic House staff meeting online using video conferencing app Zoom. We have an executive committee meeting by Zoom coming up.
"The AGM (annual general meeting) scheduled for April (this month) has been postponed. One option is having it via Zoom maybe in May but TTOC Legal Counsel Dave Williams will advise
"At this time, sport is quite rightly on the backburner as the priority for all of us is combating COVID-19 and saving lives."
Both heads urged all to adhere to all health protocols and advisories put in place by the respective governments and health authorities.