The Valais authorities wanted to reassure the organizers of sporting events in the canton. During a meeting this Wednesday in Sierre, they gave some guarantees in financial matters.
As he had previously announced, the State Councilor in charge of the Department of Security, Institutions and Sport, Frédéric Favre, confirmed that all the state and para-state grants promised by the canton will be paid, that the demonstrations will take place or not.
Concerning the donations from the Loterie romande, the case has not yet been decided. So-called professional clubs can benefit from technical unemployment.
Avoid psychosis
Although he does not minimize the risks, the State Councilor has been clear, like his Vaudois colleague Philippe Leuba last week: “Let’s not go any further, to avoid creating a psychosis”.
According to lawyer Vincent Jäggi, a specialist in sports law, an event organizer will not be considered as civilly guilty if a spectator, an athlete or a member of the staff should fall ill.
The responsibility to guard against coronavirus rests indeed with each citizen, taking into account the recommendations of the Confederation. Conversely, according to the lawyer, each club or organizer must communicate in an infallible manner.
According to Mr. Jäggi, “it is impossible to cancel an event, since the concept of cancellation due to force majeure has not been reached”.
Hundreds of risk analyzes
“Everything must therefore be done to ensure that your event takes place,” added Grégoire Jirillo, the head of the sports office and president of the Valais Sport Fund. Unless, of course, the criteria set by the public authorities prevent it.
The cantonal doctor Christian Ambord recalled the known figures of the coronavirus, that is at midday Wednesday, 645 cases in Switzerland, including 22 in Valais.
In the sports sector alone, the Valais Cantonal Relief Organization (OCVS) has carried out some 750 risk analyzes over the past week in Valais, said its director, Jean-Marc Bellagamba. Two hundred other files are being processed. In only ten cases, the notice was negative according to the standards of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and two were canceled.
Canceled events
Between March and September 2020, 43 popular competitions and at least of supra-cantonal level are planned in Valais. Of these, only four will take place indoors. Thirteen are linked to skiing, fourteen to running and five to cycling, in particular.
The organizers of the Maya Patrol (ski-mountaineering), the Kid’s Cup in Martigny and the Sierre Sun Race (athletics), the international fencing tournament in Sion and the final of the World Cup telemark have already canceled their appointments. Another demonstration – still unknown – has chosen to appear on this list. (ats / nxp)
Created: 03/11/2010, 21:35
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