European Team Championships 2021

Following considerable discussion of the ongoing challenges of Covid19 and international travel for high performance athletes, Athletics Ireland have confirmed that an Irish team will not be competing at the European Team Championships on the 19th /20th of June in Romania.

The National Track & Field Championships scheduled for June 25th, 26th, and 27th would result in many athletes not being available to travel to the Team Championships. Possible quarantines could result in athletes missing their National Championships which will offer the chance to earn valuable ranking points towards Olympic qualification.

The Irish Government requires a mandatory 5-day quarantine followed by a negative PCR test for anyone entering Ireland after travel off the island of Ireland. This quarantine effectively rules out the vast majority of athletes travelling to Romania with National Championships commencing on Friday 25th June.

Aside from the requirement for quarantine for a minimum of 5 days post travel, there is a strong risk of athletes being deemed a close contact during travel to or from this event, which would require a minimum of 10 days quarantine.

Aside from National Championships and Tokyo Qualification, this event comes quite close to both European U23 and U20 Championships, and 5 or possibly 10 days quarantine for this cohort of athletes could be detrimental to preparation for their key 2021 championships.

Athletics Ireland appreciates the difficulties all organisers are facing in trying to schedule Championships in 2021 and wish all those involved in the European Team Championships every success.