The suspension of sports competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic
The health emergency declared due to the coronavirus pandemic has forced the suspension of all sports competitions worldwide. Obviously, Ecuador is not an exception: all activities in the mentioned field are paralyzed. Two national leaders consulted by this Newspaper say that changes will be necessary in all areas so that, when security protocols can be applied to prevent infections or when there is a vaccine against COVID-19 and tournaments resume, the "new normal" can be assumed without risk.
According to Manuel Bravo, president of the Ecuadorean Athletics Federation, returning to normalcy will be difficult "until a vaccine exists, and strict protocols must be followed. I am especially concerned about the distance measure, which in our case is difficult to comply with, or that athletes have to wear a mask to compete."
"Activities are scheduled to restart in the second semester of this year, including the qualification period for the Olympic Games which will begin on December 1st; hopefully, by then we will already have the vaccine. The British are close to having it (possibly in September, according to scientists from the University of Oxford), they have already started a trial on a thousand people," said the Azuay leader.
Bravo added that when returning to what he calls the "new normal", nothing will be the same as before and that "sports such as athletics are building new training policies, as well as rules for athletes."
"I think that the world, especially the health policies, cannot be exclusive in terms of priorities."
Meanwhile, Marisol Castro, president of the Ecuadorean Skating Federation, pointed out that when it is possible to return to normal, individual disciplines "could be practiced in a prudent manner, respecting government norms," especially social distancing.
The leader said that in skating, it is possible to compete in artistic or skateboarding modalities, which are individual. "But I think that group tests, for this year, have ended considering the current global situation," estimated Castro.
She also believes that due to the health emergency the world is experiencing this year, there will be no official tests.
Regarding the Pan-American Championship in Guayaquil, in August, she said: "The World Skating Federation thinks positively, that everything will improve, and they have moved the competition to November." (D)
Sports activities must be suspended until there is a vaccine that can stop this pandemic, due to important variables to consider
Manuel Bravo, president of the Ecuadorean Athletics Federation
I highly doubt that there can be competitions this year, and I truly hope they find the vaccine. The coronavirus is very dangerous, considering everything I have learned
Marisol Castro, president of the Ecuadorean Skating Federation