Athletics body warns runners of burnout in 2021
Nairobi, Wednesday
The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) says the tight schedule of competition in 2021 will require athletes to be at their best fitness to excel since the coronavirus has forced the postponement or cancellation of sports action.
CAA president Hamad Malboum Kalkaba hoped athletes to observe health guidelines by their governments and continue training despite the challenges brought about by the virus spread.
“In consultation with organizers and members of the CAA board, we agreed to postpone until May 2021 the Senior Africa Championships scheduled in Algiers,” said Kalkaba.
The Africa Championships, which was designed to be part of the qualification to the Tokyo Olympics, will still be able to serve the same purpose as the Games was also postponed.
“We encourage athletes to respect the recommendations and hygiene measures of their respective governments to defeat this virus. But whenever possible continue to prepare and train,” he added.
CAA has also postponed the Africa Cross Country Championships from this year to 2021 in Lome, Togo.
It means besides the two events, Africa athletes will also have to plan for the Africa Junior Championships, World Indoor Tour, World Indoor Championships, World Cross Country Championships, the Diamond League, World Athletics Continental Tour between April and June, as well as Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games. -Xinhua
