World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou fall foul of China’s zero-Covid policy, postponed until 2025
- The World Athletics Council is expected to decide the host for the 2024 relays at its meeting in Rome on November 30
- It comes just one month after the Nanjing World Indoor Championships were postponed until 2025, along with Diamond League events in Shanghai and Shenzhen
Another significant sporting event has fallen foul of China’s zero-Covid policy, with World Athletics announcing that the team relays scheduled for May next year have been postponed until 2025.
It is the third major event the governing body has had to reschedule because of the country’s approach to the coronavirus.
World Athletics said the decision was taken with the agreement of both the Guangzhou organising committee (LOC) and the Chinese Athletics Association, because of the “ongoing pandemic conditions”.
“It is regrettable when we have to postpone an event,” Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, said. “However, World Athletics and the local organising committee are both committed to the responsible planning and delivery of the World Athletics Relays, which includes ensuring that athletes from all international federations are able to participate in and enjoy an experience in a safe and healthy environment.
“I want to thank our colleagues at the Chinese Athletics Association and the LOC for their efforts and cooperation in resolving this situation and look forward to 2025 when our hosts are able to stage a spectacular World Athletics Relays.”
Guangzhou was awarded its hosting rights in July last year, while the World Athletics Council is expected to decide the host for the 2024 relays at its meeting in Rome on November 30.
