SCOTS EVENT FINALLY FALLS TO COVID AXE
BY MARK WOODS
SCOTTISH Athletics have officially cancelled September’s National Championships.
The Grangemouth event, believed to have been scrapped for the first time since the Second World War, will be replaced by a series of smaller meetings to facilitate a return to competition.
But chief executive Mark Munro admitted asking athletes to chase medals without the usual block of training – and the safety implications involved – would not be “appropriate”.
He said: “The delivery of the Championships may prove a step too far with too many uncertainties. Ultimately, we must put the health and safety of all our athletes, coaches, officials and spectators first.
“It is also felt that it is not appropriate to identify someone as a ‘Scottish champion’ in this particular year in track and field, when so many areas of preparation and facility availability have been affected and there may be a big variety in terms of readiness for competitors.
“We’re seeking to be fair to those who haven’t fully returned to training and we must ensure safety of all in attendance. This has not been an easy decision.”
With few domestic meetings in the diary – and the British Championships to be held behind closed doors – a National Open Series will be established that can get some athletes back on track.
He said: “We’re desperate to see track and field competition before the end of the summer.
“We’re also working with road race providers but this area is more complex. It’s more likely that small road events, plus hill and trail racing will likely be able to return in August.”
Meanwhile, it’s understood the UK’s remaining Diamond League meeting, in Gateshead on September 12, will also be cancelled.
RUGBY bosses are praying the Scottish Government doesn’t snub their plans for bringing back crowds like they did to football.
Scottish Rugby hope to convince Holyrood rulers they can host large crowds at Murrayfield by securing approval for 1,000 fans for next month’s first Edinburgh v Glasgow clash.
Football was dealt a blow yesterday when Nicola Sturgeon insisted it may be months before she’ll allow fans back into games.
Record Sport broke the story last month the SRU and Celtic have worked together as they pushed for supporters to return to their respective sports.
And we exclusively revealed earlier this week Hoops CEO Peter Lawwell had called on the Scottish Government to unpadlock the gates – as he told how fans are returning to football stadia across Europe.
We also reported how SRU chief operating officer Dominic McKay has been given a tentative green light from Holyrood to put on a trial run in front of around 1,000 fans at the home of rugby on August 22,