By Alexandre G. Published May 29, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Updated May 29, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
Given the still dramatic situation in the United States, the organizers of the Boston Marathon have decided to cancel the event. Postponed for the first time in the face of the threat of coronavirus, it is the first time since its creation 124 years ago that the most prestigious marathon in the world will not be held in the streets of Boston. A virtual edition is planned as a replacement.
2020, a very sad year for Boston. And for the rest of the world! This Thursday, May 28, after having postponed it for the first time to September 14, the organizers of marathon de Boston 2020, initially scheduled for April 24, have taken the decision tocancel the race because ofcoronavirus epidemic. Since the coronavirus landed in North America, the situation has only worsened and all the factors were in place to inevitably arrive at this scenario.
The @BAA has announced that the 124th Boston Marathon will be held as a virtual event, following Boston Mayor Martin Walsh’s cancellation of the marathon as a mass participation road running event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. pic.twitter.com/tlIdvsU9sq
— Boston Marathon (@bostonmarathon) May 28, 2020
Like thousands of other large-scale sporting events, such as Wimbledon, the Paris marathon, or the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, this is a new victim of the Covid-19 epidemic which is ravaging the planet . The marathon most prestigious in the world had never been canceled, in 124 years of existence. A historic first, for some 30,000 sportsmen gathered. However, they will be able to take comfort with the virtual edition of the event, already announced, but which the organizers should soon put in place.
As the Boston Athletic Association, the event organizer, “Holding the 124th Boston Marathon is not feasible this year for public health reasons”. For the city mayor Martin Walsh, “there is no way to keep the usual race format without gathering a large number of people in close proximity“. So many unforeseen events that ended up overcoming the motivation of the organizers of the marathon, yet determined to organize the 2020 edition. marathons the New York and Chicago are they still maintained. For the time being !
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