World Athletics Indoor Championships Postponed Until 2021

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

For the first time since the World Indoor Championships were staged in 1985, the event has been postponed due to a health crisis. 

The latest coronavirus, with its epicenter in China, has forced World Athletics to shut down preparations for the March 13-15 meet in Nanjing. RELEASE

With new travel restrictions being imposed and uncertainty over when the virus will be contained, World Athletics had no other option. Even the prospect of moving the event to a different city was weighed against the possibility that the outbreak could come into play nearly anywhere. 

"We have considered the possibility of relocating the event to another country and would like to thank the cities that have volunteered to host the championships. However, given concerns still exist regarding the spread of the virus outside China, we have decided not to go with this option, as it may lead to further postponement at a later date," the release stated.

Nanjing is a little more than 300 miles from Wuhan, which is epicenter of the disease.