Cycling Australia has announced that it is closely monitoring the ongoing coronavirus outbreak for the UCI Road World Championships to be held in Switzerland from September 20 to 27. The Australian National Federation will consider sending elite riders already based in Europe at least two weeks before the start of the event, if the world situation at that time permits.
Cycling Australia (CA) CEO and Managing Director Steve Drake said in a press release on the federation's broader international activities issued Wednesday: "The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has now The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is currently recommending a ban on international travel from Australia. Australian citizens cannot leave Australia without a waiver from DFAT. [Our primary concern is the health of our players and staff. Therefore, CA will not conduct any national team campaigns or projects outside of Australia until January 1, 2021."
Drake said that while the decision has already been made not to send under-23 and junior riders to overseas competitions, the 2020 UCI Road World Championships, 2020 UCI MTB World Championships, 2020 MTB Marathon World Championships, the 2020 season's Mountain Bike World Cup He added that an exception could be made for senior elite athletes competing in the remaining BMX World Cups for the 2020 season, and in competitions held in New Zealand, "if there is a government-endorsed Trans-Tasman Travel Bubble".
"With respect to the 2020 UCI Road World Championships, CA will continue to monitor the situation closely," Drake's statement reads. 'The CA will only consider entry selections and nominations for elite riders. Riders in these categories must be based in Europe for a minimum of two weeks prior to the start date of the event in question in order to be considered for selection."
The statement added that Cycling Australia will continue to monitor the global situation regarding COVID-19 and may "change its approach to its activities as the situation develops over the coming months."
"The CA will consider a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the latest DFAT position, the host country's current COVID-19 position, information from the UCI and event organizers, and the CA's ability to properly provide for team and community health and safety," Drake said.
Meanwhile, a decision on whether the 2020 road world championships will be held in Switzerland is expected Wednesday after the Swiss Federal Council meets.
Previously, the Middle East had been considered as an alternative to Switzerland, but an improvement in the coronavirus situation in June led to Switzerland's Aigle and Martigny being held on the original dates. However, the worsening global situation may force a change in venue, postponement, or cancellation of the event.
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