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The competition will take place on the Sigulda track for two consecutive weekends, from November 20 to 22 and from November 27 to 29. The competition program of each stage includes a skeleton for women and men, bobsleigh for women and every weekend also two bobsleigh matches for men for two. In Sigulda, in the men’s doubles competition, even four competitions will be held together.
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In a conversation with TVNET, the director of the competition Janika Judeika pointed out that all athletes and representatives of their national delegations must have taken the Covid-19 test before arriving in Latvia. Coronavirus tests for all entrants will also be performed on site in Latvia.
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“We count everyone who enters our country. We are grateful to the government and other responsible authorities for allowing us to organize this international event. We appreciate it, because we did not know until the last one whether it will be possible to hold a competition,” said the Latvian Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation. (LBSF) Executive Director.
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Taking into account the Covid-19 pandemic, spectators will not be allowed to attend the competition in person, but it will be broadcast live on Latvian Television Channel 7 (LTV7).
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“No one who has not passed the Covid-19 test will be able to enter the track area. to ensure the safe exchange of the flow of people, “said the organizer of the competition.
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Judeika noted that the number of organizers has been reduced to a minimum. “We used to have a lot of volunteer helpers, but now we’re focused on basic needs.”
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Mairita Bumbure, a medic, will take care of epidemiological safety in the competition. She has to keep records of about 300 to 400 people involved. About 200-250 are immigrants from abroad.
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“My colleague in charge of epidemiological safety communicates personally with each person and collects all the tests before the competitors enter. We need to make sure that they come to us with negative tests when they leave their lands, so that there are no surprises,” he said. Judeika.
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The organizers are strictly guided by Latvian legislation and the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation Security Protocol. Upon arrival in Latvia, Covid-19 testing in Sigulda is provided within 24 hours.
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“Only when the individuals have been confirmed to have negative Covid-19 test results upon arrival in Latvia will the individuals be accredited for the competition,” Judeika said, adding that five to seven days after that the tests would be repeated.
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The participants of the competition will be located in guest houses and hotels in Sigulda. Representatives of foreign delegations will have to sign for compliance with Latvian legislation – they will only be allowed to go to the accommodation and the competition track.
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Athletes from a total of 16 different countries of the world are expected to take part in the first stage of the competition.
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“We are grateful to the people who have bobsleighs and skeletons at heart. They are ready to leave their families to live in the ‘bubble’ for two weeks. As I do tomorrow [sestdien, 14. novembrī] I will leave Riga, so I will return home to my family only in two weeks, “revealed the main organizer of the competition.
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Skeleton competitions will take place on Fridays at the World Cup. On November 20, the first race for women at 10.00, the first start for men at 15.00.
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Saturday, Nov. 21, at 9 a.m. bobsleigh for women, at 1:45 p.m., bobsleigh for men’s doubles. On Sunday, November 22, from 2.30 pm, there will be another stage in men’s bobsleigh.
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The start times of the competition will be similar on the weekend from November 27 to 29.
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