Extraordinary measures of the Czech government and their impact on sporting events

Almost the whole world is dealing with almost nothing but the Coronavirus these days!

The situation is no different here in the Czech Republic, and so the government is presenting us with one emergency measure after another.
First of all, it was a recommendation to undergo medical examinations for those who have returned from their stay abroad in recent days, especially from Italy.

This was followed by a blanket order for a 14-day quarantine for all those who have arrived since Saturday, 7 March, from a holiday spent in Italy.

The most recent and also the most extensive measure decided by the National Security Council at its meeting this morning will affect all citizens of the Czech Republic without exception!

As of the date this article was originally written, the measures included, among others:

• A ban on the personal presence of pupils at primary, secondary, higher vocational and higher education institutions (kindergartens and nurseries remain open), starting Wednesday 11.03.2020
• A ban on cultural, sporting and social events with more than 100 people from Tuesday 10.03.2020 at 18:00

However, as we know today, the Government of the Czech Republic first declared a state of emergency, followed by a quarantine throughout the country. People can only go to work, if necessary, and for food!

How have all these measures affected the events in the fitness world?

The Association of Bodybuilding and Fitness of the Czech Republic:

Dear sportsmen and sportswomen, members of the Union of Bodybuilding and Fitness of the Czech Republic.

In connection with the rapidly worsening situation and the latest information and regulations of the state authorities (long closed fitness centers, quarantine announced, closed borders), the SKFČR SC decided to cancel all competitions of the SKFČR and IFBB in the Czech Republic until 30 June 2020.

At the moment we are in preliminary negotiations with the organizers of the championship competitions to move these competitions to autumn 2020.

NABBA CZECH and WFF CZECH:

ATTENTION !!!
The WFF - World Fitness Federation European Championships 2020 in Prague are CANCELLED !!!

Based on the current introduction of the NOUZA STATE in the Czech Republic and other European countries associated with various restrictions, bans, regulations, it is not possible to hold the WFF European Championships 2020 in Prague, especially in relation to FAIR-PLAY conditions to all possibly participating athletes.

FAIR-PLAY is one of the essential criteria in our sport, when now on the European continent there are health and hygiene restrictions to such an extent that prevent all potential athletes from concentrating their efforts in 100% preparation for such a high European championship...
(limited possibilities of movement of persons, limited or completely prohibited possibilities of training - top training in bodybuilding and fitness in various sports facilities, stress factor within the health of persons close to individual athletes, unequal opportunities in the economic situation on the basis of the limitation of financial income of individual coaches or athletes within the strict closure or restriction of sports facilities - fitness centers, closure of sports halls, theaters and cultural centers).

Currently, the venues for the WFF European Championships are closed and the forecast for the near future within the next 2-3 months is practically unclear, uncertain, speculative.

In the current situation, the cancellation of the WFF European Championships is a step to reduce the potentially unnecessary or higher costs associated with the preparation of athletes and the implementation of the subject competition with an uncertain outcome, when now these events are banned until further notice.

CONCLUSION - ME WFF 2020 IS CANCELLED !!!

Michal Benda
President WFF CZECH REPUBLIC

Czech Powerlifting Federation:

Friends, the decision is made. It's sad, but it really couldn't be otherwise. Czechoslovakia in TR and DR 2020 will NOT take place!!! We have agreed together with Slovak Powerlifiting that everything will be postponed by one year and next year we will just start in Slovakia with a joint WCSR.

The last point that was decided was the closing of all gyms today. I won't take it upon myself to rush you into "some" nomination after a week of training. That's pure nonsense. The Slovak partners had a similar opinion.

It's sad, but it's the best decision that could have been made in this situation.

About the nomination for international competitions. Don't worry. We have already solved the bench and deadlift and we simply won't nominate for the triple jump and squat. Anyone who signs up for international competitions will be allowed to compete with their performance confirmed by the club manager. So for this year actually free entry to international competitions for TR and DŔ.

I think the latest decisions, although sad, will put many of you at ease and we can start preparing for other competitions in peace.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding and to our Slovak partners for their perfect cooperation and thoughtful solutions.

Czech Power Triathlon Federation:

! Postponement of international competitions in powerlifting and bench press !

It is with great regret, but also with understanding, that the IPF World Federation and the European EPF, in cooperation with the organizers, have decided to take the necessary measures and postpone the following competitions due to the development of the coronavirus pandemic:

▪️ World Masters Powerlifting and Classic Powerlifting Championships (original date: 26 April - 3 May 2020, Sun City, South Africa)

▪️ European Men's, Women's, Junior and Youth Powerlifting Championships (original date: 4-8 May 2020 / Thisted, Denmark)

▪️ World Bench Press and Classic Bench Press Championships (original date: 15 - 23 May 2020 / Pilsen, Czech Republic)

Detailed information will be provided continuously in the following week. At the same time, the CSST SC will issue a statement on the World Championships in Pilsen.

Gladiator Race:

Dear Gladiators,

the situation caused by the spread of coronavirus is very complex and unclear, basically changing almost every day and every hour. It is already very clear that we will not be able to hold some events on the original dates due to many government regulations. However, we are aware of how long you have been preparing for the races, how much effort and energy it has cost you and how much you are looking forward to them. We, the organisers, are in the same position. We have been preparing continuously with our team for more than half a year, we are looking forward to this year's races, they are the culmination of our work and our priority is to fulfill all our commitments and organize the event on alternative dates. Of course, we know that this will not be easy, that we will run into conflicts with other sporting events or your private plans, so we are responding to the situation as follows:

We are postponing the GLADIATOR RACE HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ event, including the KIDS GR race (original date 21 March 2020). We will inform you about the new date soon. All paid registrations will be automatically moved to the new date, no need to take any action. Registrations for this rescheduled race will continue at the same price. In case this date is not convenient for you for any reason, we offer you two options:

1. You will be able to transfer the entire amount paid (including any insurance) yourself (without any fees or cancellation) to any other race on our calendar in 2020 (also valid for Sportvisio runs - www.sportvisio.cz). We are currently working hard on a system solution. We will inform you as soon as possible.

2. You can cancel and transfer your registration for the rescheduled race to any other person at any time during the online registration period (which will close on the Monday before the GR HK event on the new date). Details can be found here: (https://gladiatorrace.cz/pravidla-registrace.html, item 8.)

Meanwhile, we are preparing the RMG/GLADIATOR RACE MILOVICE event in the unchanged format. In case of any changes we will inform you immediately.

The WINTER TRIUMPHALIS seasonal medal (for children and adults) will be rescheduled after the GR HK is completed on the new date.

Please let's not fall into general panic, despair and annoyance at the current restrictions. Let us all show at this time that we are true GLADIATORS and that we will not give up. Keep working within the constraints, stay loyal to us, and we promise to work hard on our calendar to bring you your favorite events unchanged!

For the whole Gladiator Race
Roman Šinkovský and Pavel Cibulka