CHINA CANCELS WUHAN MARATHON AS COVID CASES SURGE

Sun 24 October 2021:

The Wuhan Marathon, which was scheduled to take place on Sunday, has been postponed at the last minute as fears of a coronavirus resurgence in China, ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

On Sunday, China reported 26 new domestic Covid-19 cases, marking the latest test of the country’s zero-tolerance policy with little over 100 days till the Games begin.

Authorities have been rushing to contain viral infections by testing residents in large numbers and enforcing targeted lockdowns.

But with the rise in cases, organisers of the Wuhan Marathon said in a statement released late last week that they would postpone Sunday’s event in the central Chinese city “to prevent the risk of epidemic spread”.

According to a statement issued by the organizing committee of the Wuhan Marathon, as confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in a dozen domestic cities, the marathon was postponed to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

The statement added that registered runners for the 2021 Wuhan Marathon are able to retain their entry, and the registration fee will be refunded in near future.

Debuting in 2016, the Wuhan Marathon was recognized as a silver label road race event by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). In 2020, the event was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beijing will commemorate 100 days till the Winter Olympics begin on February 4, with organizers admitting earlier this month that they are “face great pressure” because to Covid-19.

Athletes entering China must be vaccinated or risk a 21-day quarantine.

Beijing has begun to provide citizens with coronavirus booster shots in advance of the Winter Olympics.

()with agencies)

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