Return to racing - the new normal

Return to racing - the new normal

by Emma Carney (AUS) -
Number of replies: 0

Dear Athletes,

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused significant disruption to the World, and as the world is now slowly considering the return to sport and the new normal, it is worth taking some time to look at how racing may be affected.

The return to the new normal will take time as countries transition out of lockdown, with some re-entering lockdown and grappling with the new normal of their communities.

In this environment of uncertainty, endurance events such as triathlon pose a challenge for mass participation.

World Triathlon, has put together guidelines reviewed by the World Triathlon Medical and Technical Committee for the management of events. These events are firstly only to take place if they are approved to do so by local authorities in countries under the threat of a COVID-19 pandemic situation, as described by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The document can be found here

As a World Triathlon athlete member, you should take the time to read the various recommendations, as there will be changes to race processes and protocols that you must follow. These changes will directly ensure the sport of triathlon is working towards prioritising all athletes’ protection with regard to health care and all volunteers, technical officials and the general public are also protected by risk mitigation procedures.

As an athlete, the return to racing brings excitement, but it also raises concerns for your own health. World Triathlon recognises this, and as always, the health of all involved in Triathlon is of top priority. With events returning, Local Organising Committees (LOCs) will be required to assess their events according to the WHO Risk Assessment and Mitigation Checklist for Mass Gatherings in the context of COVID-19. Each event will be assessed on the probability of a threat and the consequence of that event. That is, what is the impact of the event and what is the impact of the event on public health. World Triathlon events will only proceed if the event falls in a low to very low risk category. Your health as a World Triathlon athlete is the utmost priority in this analysis.

While risk mitigation is sought by World Triathlon, as an athlete you also have obligations to follow the new processes and protocols. Your behaviour can directly impact on the health safety procedures in the COVID-19 environment, and you should remain diligent in knowing and following the new procedures in place.

Below I have summarised some (not all) of the Athlete specific changes. You will note, the new normal will require you to alter your approach in preparation, during competition and post events. It is important you make these changes, so the return to racing can take place with minimal risk of interruption.

  • Maintain current COVID-19 pandemic procedures.
    • All individuals aim to keep at least 2m between themselves and other people.
    • Frequent hand washing and sanitising of hands.
    • Individuals feeling unwell should not attend.
    • Avoid shaking hands or hugging others.
    • Avoid touching your own mouth, nose or eyes.
  • Pre Competition Athlete Requirements
    • Athletes racing will be required to monitor health – including temperature – up to 14 days prior to race. With pre-travel and pre-event health checks and medical certificates likely to be enforced.
    • A pre-event questionnaire upon arrival along with a temperature check and oxygen saturation levels may also be required. This may be required to be submitted electronically. Pre-race daily health screening may be implemented by LOCs.
    • Athletes will be encouraged to wear masks. This includes on race day, only removing as close to the start as possible.
    • You will be discouraged from walking around barefoot pre-race and post-race.

Race Site Requirements

  • At all times the Athlete is to spend as little time at the venue as possible.
  • All check in procedures for athletes to minimise the time required to be at the venue.
  • Your athlete entourage will most likely be smaller, as World Triathlon aims to reduce the number of people required at events.
  • Athlete briefings will most likely be online, requiring a Zoom login. Questions can be submitted online using the Zoom Q&A feature.
  • Registration pick up procedures will require a set time allocation, you will be required to maintain the 2m distance ruling throughout. Sanitise hands on entry and wear face masks.
  • Equipment checks by TOs to be visual.
  • Course familiarisation will not be escorted. You will need to learn the course and then attend at a time the course is made available to be open and complete a lap.

Competition

  • There is discussion of events run in a time trial format to spread the field.
  • SWIM
    • Start line procedure to have athletes lined up 2m apart on the swim start.
    • Athlete introduction must be quick.
    • All swim exits must have a shower, athletes advised to run through them.
    • Transition set up according to social distancing recommendations.
  • BIKE
    • The bike will be largely unchanged
  • RUN
    • Run laps will be reduced and out and back turns avoided.
    • Athletes discouraged to run behind each other, instead keeping a 4m distance to the side or at 45degree angle from other runners.
    • Aid stations to be self-serve.
  • Mixed relay
    • Only the first athlete will be introduced.
    • Changeovers will not involve athletes touching, instead a changeover area will be introduced.
    • Adjacent lanes for in-going and out-going athletes provided.
    • Teams cannot congregate at the finish.
  • Penalties
    • The penalty box area will be larger, but as always it is best to stay out of these.
  • Finish
    • Finish area chute will be split into 1.5m wide finish lanes.
    • You must remove your own timing chip.
    • No post-race photos or media.
    • Athletes move to a large open space to recover. Athletes must avoid sitting or stopping on blue carpet (outside of medical need to do so).
    • You will need to finish, and keep walking if possible to clear the finish area.
    • Medal ceremonies may move to online. If there is a medal ceremony, social distancing must be adhered to. These will be zero tolerance to shaking of hands, and hugging others.

I strongly recommend you read the full document (link provided above). As an athlete it is your responsibility to know and understand race rules and procedures. In these times your understanding of what is required is not just for your own safety. In today’s new normal, with the threat of COVID-19, your responsibility is more important than ever.

Stay well.

Emma