2020-21 Grand Prix Final Postponed

[gsk8]

Considering the pandemic developments and related impact on the organizers and participants of ISU Events, the ISU Council decided to cancel or postpone the following ISU Events:

• ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Beijing/China - December 10-13, 2020 (Olympic Test Event)
• ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating, Seoul, December 11-13, 2020
• ISU World Cup Short Track, Beijing, December 18-20, 2020 (Olympic Test Event)

Concerning the Olympic Test Events in Beijing there were also a number of logistical points raised by potentially participating teams that meant that hosting the competitions on the scheduled dates (close to the end of year holidays and National Championships) would have impacted on the number of participants, given the potential need to quarantine on returning to their home country.

The ISU, in consultation with all stakeholders and considering the pandemic developments, is evaluating the continuation of the 2020/21 season, in particular the re-scheduling possibilities for the important Olympic Test Events. The ISU will communicate the conclusions at a later date.

 

[Artemisa]

why not change location from china to other country?

 

[mrrice]

why not change location from china to other country?

Unfortunately, Covid is everywhere.

 

[Jeanie19]

The Olympic test event is important, why not just have a competition in April for this? Hopefully by then, things will be better.

 

[gsk8]

One can only hope. While the press release said "Canceled" the event on the ISU site shows "Postponed".

 

[Artemisa]

Unfortunately, Covid is everywhere.

Yes covid is everywhere .. but if you have le tour de France ( 176 participants in 20 days near each other on a road), champions, european handball matches .. I truly don't understand why so much drama in figure skating ... it's more like figure skating doesn't generate money so is easier to cancel .. it's not about covid

 

[mrrice]

I agree. I'm sure they're having a hard time finding sponsors and advertisers. It would also be difficult for the arena's to get Vendors who are willing to pay to have booths at an event with no audience. Just a sad time.

 

[Winnie_20]

why so much drama in figure skating

“Concerning the Olympic Test Events in Beijing there were also a number of logistical points raised by potentially participating teams that meant that hosting the competitions on the scheduled dates (close to the end of year holidays and National Championships) would have impacted on the number of participants, given the potential need to quarantine on returning to their home country.”

is an important reason why.
Also, they may still not have come up with a fair way to qualify to the GPF.

 

[Amei]

It only seemed right to me that there be no GPF this year; with travel being very restricted the GP series in the countries with events were/are basically going to be mini-nationals with maybe a couple of instances of foreign skaters appearing because they train in that country.

 

[Tutto]

I think we will be very lucky if the Euros/4 Continents & Worlds will take place at all by being moved to the late spring - the end of April & May. I don't expect any GP events to happen at all. Damn Covid - sorry!

 

[bouncy]

Beijing almost had it contained at the cost of a very stringent quarantine policy - overseas passengers are escorted to quarantine hotels for a mandatory 14-day quarantine immediately after arrival. I don't think there will be any exceptions made for athletes. Postponing the event is probably the most sensible decision they've made so far.

 

[Artemisa]

“Concerning the Olympic Test Events in Beijing there were also a number of logistical points raised by potentially participating teams that meant that hosting the competitions on the scheduled dates (close to the end of year holidays and National Championships) would have impacted on the number of participants, given the potential need to quarantine on returning to their home country.”

is an important reason why.
Also, they may still not have come up with a fair way to qualify to the GPF.

It's more other reasons ...

 

[Artemisa]

Beijing almost had it contained at the cost of a very stringent quarantine policy - overseas passengers are escorted to quarantine hotels for a mandatory 14-day quarantine immediately after arrival. I don't think there will be any exceptions made for athletes. Postponing the event is probably the most sensible decision they've made so far.

Ask champions .. if countries with quarantine .. put football players in quarantine after arrive from and to other contry

 

[bouncy]

Ask champions .. if countries with quarantine .. put football players in quarantine after arrive from and to other contry

You got a point, but China has a different system.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

I think we will be very lucky if the Euros/4 Continents & Worlds will take place at all by being moved to the late spring - the end of April & May. I don't expect any GP events to happen at all. Damn Covid - sorry!

It's well seeing that we live on the same island, and are seeing the same things. Because I totally agree with you.

Since you are only about 100 miles away, I'm sure you've heard about the spike in my hometown. But, if you want to read my view on it, read this post:

https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/threads/coronavirus-and-the-new-season.85357/post-2639385

And I should add, nearly all the competitors came from within the island of Ireland (there were a handful from outside Ireland, but not many). So, basically the same as what the ISU plans for the regular rounds of the Senior GP Series.

It just goes to show that, even if precautions are taken, sporting events going ahead can lead to virus hotspots forming. So, better to not take any chances.

Incidentally, I read a story on Aertel this morning which I thought would be relevant to the discussion.

Here is the internet version:

https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/0930/1168539-coronavirus-cases/

Really shows how the impact that one person carrying the virus can have.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Tutto]

It's well seeing that we live on the same island, and are seeing the same things. Because I totally agree with you.

Since you are only about 100 miles away, I'm sure you've heard about the spike in my hometown. But, if you want to read my view on it, read this post:

https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/threads/coronavirus-and-the-new-season.85357/post-2639385

And I should add, nearly all the competitors came from within the island of Ireland (there were a handful from outside Ireland, but not many). So, basically the same as what the ISU plans for the regular rounds of the Senior GP Series.

It just goes to show that, even if precautions are taken, sporting events going ahead can lead to virus hotspots forming. So, better to not take any chances.

Incidentally, I read a story on Aertel this morning which I thought would be relevant to the discussion.

Here is the internet version:

https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/0930/1168539-coronavirus-cases/

Really shows how the impact that one person carrying the virus can have.

CaroLiza_fan

Oh I am sorry I haven't seen your reply before I am not that often here as I used to be. Yes, things are getting a bit scary on our island. It seems as the places which escaped the worst in the first wave are to be hit the hardest in the second one (?) Came to work today to find a colleague'd sent a text to our boss that she has been in a close contact with somebody who tested positive and going for a test. Feeling like it is getting closer & closer.
Many thanks for the links. Stay well!