Following the declaration of World Health Organisation that the current COVID-19 outbreak has now reached a worldwide pandemic status, the recently-created FINA Taskforce held its first meeting (by videoconference) to consider the impacts of the current situation with regard to the health of our athletes by assessing the risks of hosting forthcoming FINA competitions. A number of significant decisions were made to postpone or cancel events. FINA's overriding concern at this challenging time is to proactively safeguard the health of all event participants, and also to safeguard public health in general.
In addition to the outbreak itself, government restrictions and guidance on events and travel as well as recommendations of the World Health Organisation and the International Olympic Committee have been considered carefully by FINA's COVID-2019 Taskforce. FINA has also been in discussion with the host federations and committees involved, to which FINA remains deeply grateful for their efforts to further Aquatics.
Consequently, FINA would like to inform that the following event changes have been agreed:
Olympic Games Qualifying Events
March 8-15 - Trieste (ITA) - OG2020 Women 's WP Qualification Tournament
The competition has been already postponed to May 17-24
Taskforce will review the situation on April 20
March 22-29 - Rotterdam (NED) - OG2020 Men 's WP Qualification Tournament
The competition is postponed to May 31-June 7
Taskforce will review the situation on April 30
April 30-May 3 - Tokyo (JPN) - Artistic Swimming OG Qualifying Event
IOC and Tokyo2020 will make a decision in collaboration with the Taskforce as necessary
Olympic Test Events in April
Swimming
Water Polo
IOC and Tokyo2020 will make a decision in collaboration with the Taskforce as necessary
Schools, Coaches Clinics, Development programme
All schools and clinics to be held until the end of March 2020 are postponed. FINA schools and clinics to be held in April and May will be reviewed by the Taskforce, which meets regularly.
At present, the Olympic Qualifying System for Tokyo 2020 remains unchanged. Should any changes become necessary, they will be determined in collaboration with the respective FINA Technical Committees and agreed with the IOC. Should changes be required, these will be communicated at the earliest available opportunity.
According to discussions with the World Health Organisation, the risks of swimming in chlorinated water is considered to be of low risk for COVID-19 viral transmission. Please exercise good health hygiene (i.e. hand washing and avoid large gatherings).
The FINA COVID-19 Taskforce will meet again on March 16 to further reassess the situation concerning the impact of the virus on the FINA calendar of events.
FINA would like to reiterate its thanks to all those supporting aquatics athletes around the world. FINA would also like to express its thoughts and sympathies for all those affected by the pandemic.