Coronavirus gymnastics news: the latest updates, cancellations, and more
Coronavirus is everywhere, and it has started impacting athletes, events, and the Olympic qualification process. From college to elite and everything in between, we are publishing this coronavirus gymnastics page to feature the latest updates, cancellations, and more.
This article will continuously be updated as more information becomes available. Check back for updates.
Tokyo Olympics Updates
“THE OLYMPIC GAMES TOKYO 2020 WILL BE CELEBRATED FROM 23 JULY TO 8 AUGUST 2021.”
International Olympic Committee
- IOC, IPC, Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee and Tokyo Metropolitan Government announce new dates for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020
- IOC and Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee officially announce Games will be postponed to 2021
- Veteran IOC member says that 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be postponed due to coronavirus pandemic
- FIG supports IOC’s plans to explore different scenarios for Tokyo games
- Canada becomes first country to pull out of games if held in 2020
- Cancellation not on the agenda, IOC exploring postponement alternatives
- Cancel the Olympics? Postpone them? Every alternative has problems.
- A message from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Regarding the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
- Olympic qualification – Message from FIG President Morinari Watanabe
- IOC to hold coronavirus crisis talks with sports bodies
- Must Olympic Games go on? Lack of transparency from organizers concerns experts, athletes
- Opinion: IOC right not to pull plug on Tokyo Games now because of coronavirus
- Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Will Be Called Off For July If WHO Says They Should Be, Suggests IOC Boss Thomas Bach
- IOC Executive Board statement on coronavirus and the 2020 Olympics
- IOC president ‘fully committed’ to holding Olympics despite coronavirus
- Tokyo Olympics cancelled? 3 months until fate decided
International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Updates
The fast-changing situation related to the COVID-19 outbreak is a challenge for the International Gymnastics Federation as well as all sports governing bodies. The FIG is continuously monitoring the evolution of the situation closely with the host federations of upcoming events. You can find regular updates below.
FIG Decisions & Announcements
The FIG has announced a handful of groundbreaking decisions in regard to the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and beyond, including making 2021 seniors eligible for the Tokyo Games, not cancelling 2021 Worlds in Denmark, and more. Read them here.
Cancellations
Germany
Artistic Gymnastics – The German Gymnastics Federation (DTB) and the Local Organizing Committee have decided to cancel the Stuttgart All-Around World Cup that was scheduled from 20 to 22 March 2020, due to the current situation related to COVID-19.
Great Britain
Artistic Gymnastics – British Gymnastics has decided to cancel the Birmingham All-Around World Cup that was scheduled on 28 March 2020, following the latest government advice.
Portugal
Aerobic Gymnastics – The Gymnastics Federation of Portugal informed of the cancellation of the Cantanhede World Cup (27-29 March 2020)as a result of the restrictions put in place by the local authorities.
Italy
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics – Due to the current situation in Italy, the Italian Gymnastics Federation has decided to cancel the Jesolo Cup that was scheduled on 4-5 April.
Belgium
Acrobatic Gymnastics – The Puurs World Cup (10-12 April 2020) has been cancelled as a result of the decision made by local authorities.
Japan
Artistic Gymnastics – The Japan Gymnastics Association (JGA) has decided to cancel the Tokyo All-Around World Cup that was scheduled on 4-5 April 2020.
Aerobic Gymnastics – The Suzuki World Cup in Tokyo (18-19 April 2020) is cancelled.
Postponements
Qatar
Artistic Gymnastics – The Doha Apparatus World Cup (18-21 March 2020) is now postponed to 3-6 June 2020.
The Doha World Cup had initially instituted a 14-day quarantine for athletes traveling from specific countries and said the competition would take place “behind closed doors.”
Japan
Parkour – The first FIG Parkour World Championships (3-5 April 2020) in Hiroshima is now postponed to May 2020. The exact dates will be announced later.
Italy
Rhythmic Gymnastics – The Pesaro World Cup (3-5 April) is now postponed to 5-7 June 2020.
Trampoline Gymnastics – The Brescia World Cup (24-25 April) is now postponed to 19-20 June 2020.
Bulgaria
Acrobatic Gymnastics – The Sofia World Cup (3-5 April 2020) is postponed. New dates will be communicated later.
Rhythmic Gymnastics – The Sofia World Cup (10-12 April) is postponed. New dates will be announced later.
Uzbekistan
Rhythmic Gymnastics – The Tashkent World Cup (17-19 April 2020) is postponed. New dates will be communicated later.
Azerbaijan
Rhythmic Gymnastics – The Baku World Cup (24-26 April 2020) is postponed. New dates will be communicated later.
All other events have been maintained until further notice.
Other International Meet Updates
- European Championships
“In France, host of the 2020 European Championships in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, the government has decided to limit the persons in the venue to max. 1000 people until 15 April. As our event has the arrival day on 26 April, the UEG works closely together with the Local Organising Committee to monitor the situation. A final decision will be made by the end of March.” – via ueg.org- The European Gymnastics Championships for the women and men are cancelled, effective March 17. If possible, a new date for both events will be announced at the end of April.
- USA Gymnastics has cancelled all events and event sanctions through at least May 10. Click here for a full list of events impacted.
- Notable national events that are cancelled/postponed include: Pac Rims (postponed), American and Hopes Classic (cancelled), JO National Championships (cancelled), WAG April National Team camp (cancelled).
Still TBD are Pan Ams, U.S. Classic, U.S. Championships, Olympic Trials, and other events set to take place in late May and beyond.- USAG is working to reschedule the GK U.S. Classic, U.S. Championships, and more.
- The following are among the list of national championships cancelled: Russian, British, Australian, and more.
- British Gymnastics has cancelled all British national events until the end of June 2020.
Elite Athlete Updates
- Russia gymnastics backs out of American Cup over coronavirus fears
- After Doha instituted a 14-day quarantine, Italian floor-worker Vanessa Ferrari announced she and teammate Lara Mori would not be in attendance at that World Cup. They are both vying for individual berths via the Individual Apparatus World Cup series, with Ferrari in serious contention for one of the 10 available berths. It was thought she may not be able to attend the Baku World Cup from March 12-15 after Italy imposed country-wide restrictions to contain the spread of the virus, but Italy made an exception for the athletes.
- Hungary has blocked its gymnasts from traveling to both Individual Apparatus World Cups in Doha and Baku. This decision was made prior to Doha being postponed.
- “We have decided to skip the two World Cups in March given the situation caused by the coronavirus. Their health is more important, and we are concerned about being quarantined somewhere. These competitions would serve in preparation for the European Championships. The most important thing is the health and safety of the preparations, and we can guarantee both at home. “ – Sándor Altorjai, general secretary of the Hungarian Federation of gymnastics
- U.S. gymnast Colin Van Wicklen withdrew from the Baku World Cup on March 7.
- Van Wicklen said, “Due to the situation around the world, I have decided to withdraw from the WC in Baku. Even though the risk may be small, I can’t afford to risk anything this close to U.S. Champs and Trials. I have decided to prioritize safety and health in order to be at my very best come June. Thanks to everyone for the support, and I promise I’ll keep working my hardest to help Team USA maximize its potential at the 2020 Olympic Games.”
- After it was announced that the Stuttgart World Cup was cancelled, Oklahoma head coach Mark Williams also announced that Tokyo World Cup alternate Allan Bower would not travel to Japan if the meet went on as planned.
- After traveling to Baku, U.S. pommel horse specialist and Penn State gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik scratched from the Individual Apparatus World Cup and is heading back to the States to avoid a two-week quarantine that would impact his training for his ultimate goal: Tokyo.
- The Baku World Cup finals are cancelled effective March 13. The announcement came after the end of qualifications in Baku. According to FIG, Azerbaijan’s government has shut down all sporting events and venues effective immediately.
- The Big 12 Conference has suspended all organized or voluntary team activities, including meetings and practice. In the case of Oklahoma’s Olympic hopefuls, who still train at the university’s facilities, athletes like Yul Moldauer and Allan Bower can not train at that specific gym until this suspension is lifted. Coach Mark Williams also says the USOPC training center is not an option.
Only USOPTC residents can train at the facility in Colorado. - The USOPTC is closed and training has ceased for at least a month, meaning U.S. men’s national team athletes, including Sam Mikulak, will not be able to train–at least at their home gym.
- In a move that doesn’t seem unique to France, the French National Team’s training center is closing for at least 15 days. Unless athletes have an alternative gym that is open during this time, they will not be able to train for the next two weeks.
College Gymnastics Updates
- The biggest impact to NCAA Gymnastics is many universities are either sending students home or telling them to stay home and take online classes, since many schools are on spring break.
For NCAA Women’s Gymnastics, click here for consistent updates on each program.
- One of the biggest headlines in the #NCAAgym community is UCLA’s transition to online instruction through at least April 10.
UCLA Athletics will reduce attendance to only essential personnel through at least that day as well. This impacts both UCLA’s senior night this weekend vs. Bridgeport (who is no longer traveling for the meet) and the LA Regional. When and if UCLA will host a senior night is unknown. Many other athletics departments around the country are limiting attendance at events to specific people.The SEC released the following statement on limiting attendance to regular season and SEC Championship events.“The SEC announced that all regular season contests in all sports on SEC campuses and SEC Championship events will be conducted with similar attendance restrictions effective March 12 through at least March 30.”
- The Ivy League has cancelled all athletic events and practice through the remainder of the academic year. This impacts ECAC conferences and likely USAG nationals. Cornell has already confirmed that it will not host USAG nationals like it previously planned.
- The Pac-12 and SEC have immediately suspended all sporting events, regular and post-season. The Pac-12’s suspension is until further notice. The SEC’s suspension is until at least March 30. This means Pac-12 Championships and SEC Championships are cancelled.
- The Big 12 has cancelled all conference championships until April 15. Big 12 Championships for gymnastics will not happen.
- As of March 12, many schools are slowly but surely cancelling regular season meets set for this weekend if they have not already been cancelled by the conference.
Michigan, who is set to host the NCAA men’s gymnastics championships, said it is currently working with the NCAA on the status of the meet. The women’s championships, as of March 11, are closed to the public.
The NCAA released the following statement on limiting attendance at NCAA events. This, unless otherwise stated, currently includes NCAA regionals and championships for gymnastics.“The NCAA continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 in consultation with public health officials and our COVID-19 advisory panel. Based on their advice and my discussions with the NCAA Board of Governors, I have made the decision to conduct our upcoming championship events, including the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, with only essential staff and limited family attendance. While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our sports, my decision is based on the current understanding of how COVID-19 is progressing in the United States. This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans and, most importantly, our student-athletes. We recognize the opportunity to compete in an NCAA national championship is an experience of a lifetime for the students and their families. Today, we will move forward and conduct championships consistent with the current information and will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed.” – NCAA President Mark EmmertThe women’s championships page says “This NCAA Championship Event has been closed to the public.”
- The NCAA has cancelled the remaining winter and spring championships. There will be no NCAA gymnastics championships for the men or women. The NCAA season is over.
- The NCAA is granting an extra year of eligibility to all spring sport athletes and is currently considering winter athletes as well.
- NAIGC Nationals are officially cancelled as of March 17.
College Gymnastics Athlete Updates
- No updates currently.
