Coronavirus: World Athletics Championships organisers seek dates in 2022 following Tokyo Olympics’ postponement

Tournament had been set to take place between 6 and 15 August 2021

Athletics’ global governing body said on Monday it was now seeking dates in 2022 for the World Championships that were originally scheduled for 2021.

The championships had been set to take place between 6 and 15 August next year.

“We are now working with the organisers of the World Athletics Championships in Oregon on new dates in 2022,” World Athletics said in a statement.

World Athletics said it also was in discussions with the Commonwealth Games Federation and the European Championships.

The European Championships are currently scheduled for 26-30 August in Paris this year. The next Commonwealth Games are set for 27 July to 7 August 2022 in Birmingham, England.

World Athletics announced its plans for rescheduling the World Championships after the International Olympic Committee and Japanese officials said on Monday the new dates for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be 23 July 23 to 8 August 2021.

The Games were postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed thousands of people around the world.

“This gives our athletes the time they need to get back into training and competition,” World Athletics said of the new Olympics dates. “Everyone needs to be flexible and compromise.”

The governing body added: “We would like to thank our Oregon 21 Organising Committee, their stakeholders and our partners for their collaboration and willingness to explore all options.”

Oregon organisers were not immediately available for comment.

They had said last week: “[We] can reassure World Athletics that we will work with them to ensure that Oregon can still host the World Athletics Championships on alternative dates should that prove necessary.”

Reuters