In light of the recent announcements made yesterday (12 March) by the NCAA, the City of Philadelphia, and multiple professional leagues regarding their cancellation or suspension of championships and seasons, as well as event attendance bans for the next 30 days, the Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Pennsylvania is continuing to evaluate the decision to host the 126th Running of the Penn Relays.
The NCAA in a statement said: “President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors cancelled the Division I men’s and women’s 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships.”
“This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities,” the NCAA release said.
However, organizers of the 126th Running of the Penn Relays, said: “While the evolving situation is fluid, we remain hopeful that there will be a result which allows for a safe Penn Relays, and we will continue to provide updates.”
They also admitted: “Although the 2020 Penn Relays is more than 30 days away, the health and safety of our participants, spectators, officials, volunteers, sponsors, and staff are our utmost concern.”
The Jamaican government has advised schools against attending the annual Penn Relays in Philadelphia.
The event, set for April 23-25, would see several Jamaican high schools teams taking part.
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I await the change of heart when the real numbers hit.
@Winston Dixon, the Minister said: “Cabinet took a decision last evening (9 March) for the Ministry of Education to advise as it relates to the Penn Relays,” explained Jamaica’s Minister of Health & Wellness Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton.
He added, “schools by now should have been advised that the government is taking a position to not participate in the Penn Relays this year.”
I would like to inform the author of this article Mark Titus that the JAMAICAN Government did not advise against any athletes attending the Penn Relays. The fact of the matter is that the JAMAICAN government announced that no JAMAICA team will be ATTENDING the Penn Relay. Therefore no JAMAICA team will be able to attend. In Jamaica words. We na come.
Time to cancel. This is a pandemic. Our know-nothing president failed us, rather than follow the recommendations of expert epidemiologists, he lied, minimized, and delayed. Now it is everywhere. This virus will likely not kill these young teens but it may leave them with lung scarring, and it may kill the older and immunocompromised people with whom they come in contact. I want to see the Penn Relays too, but the cost is too high. The Ivy League, including the University of Pennsylvania, has already cancelled the outdoor track season. What’s good enough for the young people of the Ivy League is good for everyone.
This will change!
I honestly feel track and field meets go on better with just the athletes and officials. Less to worry about without the spectators who are not athletes there to participate in the meet.
I was not in favor of the hasty postponement of Champs, but I support this decision.
People wanna be pissed at canceling events…but will cuss the Gov’t and organizers if their children get ill or die??♂️
I love track and field…but not more than children’s lives.