The Wuhan Marathon, which was due to be held on Sunday, has been postponed at a moment’s notice as concern grows over a resurgence of the coronavirus in China ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
China reported 26 new cases of Covid-19 in the country on Sunday, just over 100 days before the start of the Games.
Authorities are working to contain the infection with massive testing of residents and targeted closures.
But in the face of the increase in the number of cases, the organizers of the Wuhan Marathon said in a statement released late last week that they were postponing Sunday’s ordeal in the central Chinese city. in order to prevent the risk of the epidemic spreading ”.
Competitor registration fees will be reimbursed
The event was expected to have 26,000 participants, taking part in races including a full marathon and a half marathon, in the city where the coronavirus was first identified in late 2019, state media reported .
The organizing committee said it will reimburse the entry fees of the competitors. China had drastically reduced the number of infections thanks to a massive testing campaign and a strict border closure.
Contacted by AFP, the organizers of the Beijing marathon, which is to be held next Sunday, did not indicate whether it would be maintained.
Beijing will mark the 100 days leading up to the Winter Olympics on Wednesday, which will begin on February 4, and organizers admitted earlier this month that they were “facing great pressure” from Covid-19.
