Digital magazines from the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the World Triathlon Series
Issue link: http://worldtriathlon.uberflip.com/i/1313191
COVID-19 GUIDELINES – the route back to the blue carpet In April of this year, World Triathlon Executive Board approved the comprehensive World Triathlon COVID-19 prevention guidelines for Event Organisers. The Guidelines were developed to help event organisers cope efficiently and effectively with the "new normality" of a COVID-19 pandemic, prepared by the World Triathlon Sport Department with feedback from the Technical, Medical, Athletes and Coaches committee, as well as recommendations from the World Health Organization. "I am proud of the excellent work carried out by the World Triathlon team in putting together these comprehensive guidelines that will help organisers across the world to plan for their events," said World Triathlon President Marisol Casado earlier this year. "Obviously we will all be impacted by this crisis, and our events will look different from now on, but everyone should understand that all these measures are to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in our events, from athletes to spectators, coaches and officials." The pause button had to be pressed on the 2020 season just as final preparations were underway for WTS Abu Dhabi at the start of March. By early November, a third and final World Cup to be held in the second half of 2020 had successfully taken place in Valencia, Spain, following on from the Hamburg Wasser World Triathlon and Alhandra Para Triathlon World Cup. Each event was staged in close cooperation with local authorities in order to implement the guidelines within the unique demands of each host city and country, with World Health Organisation risk assessments performed for all events and medical certificates awarded by the National Federation or LOC doctor. "From the first indications of the scale of this pandemic's impact, our priority was to provide as much clarity and certainty as possible for all our athletes and our stakeholders," reflected Marisol Casado in November. "We have all endured a lot of frustration and disappointment, but those events that we have been able to hold since August are a huge source of pride for World Triathlon and highlight the hard work of our partners, leaving us able to look forward to a hugely exciting 2021." The Hamburg World Triathlon race was held on a brand new course outside of the city and sealed off entirely from spectators to comply with Hamburg city regulations. Entry to Germany was predicated on a clear PCR test for all athletes and delegations. The rearranged Arzachena World Cup was able to take place thanks to individual letters of invitation for all competitors and visitors, while in Valencia on-site antibody testing was introduced, with rapid PCR tests carried out where then necessary. The World Triathlon Technical and Medical Committees will be reviewing the guidelines for the next season by incorporating the latest information and advice from WHO. You can find the World Triathlon COVID-19 Guidelines for Event Organisers on triathlon.org. I am proud of the excellent work carried out by the World Triathlon team in putting together these comprehensive guidelines that will help organisers across the world to plan for their events Marisol Casado, World Triathlon President 103 contents