In Switzerland, the Corona Virus is still bothering us just like in the other nations. A thick line was made across the start of our 2021 competitions again.
Normally the first competitions start in January and February in the three regions Middle, Northeast and Lake Zurich with the competitions for pupils and juniors. In each case two rounds are held and the athletes can qualify for the Swiss Cup for pupils and juniors.
The Swiss Cup also consists of two rounds. This competition is also about qualification results for the season highlight, the Swiss Championships for Pupils and Juniors.
Other competitions in the first half of the year are regional championships, Team competitions (similar to the Wormser Cup) and the Sirnach Spring Cup. So much for the theory.
Since the beginning of the year, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) prohibited all competitions in indoor sports facilities. After the epidemiological situation allowed it, competitions for athletes born in 2001 and later could be held again from mid-March, but under corona restrictions measures and without spectators.
This was the starting signal for the competition committee to rethink the existing competition concept and to offer, in addition to the Sirnach Spring Cup and the Pupils and Juniors Swiss Championships, 6 artistic cycling meetings more.
The goal is to finally give the young athletes the possibility to show themselves and get evaluated what they have trained. Training in small groups under special conditions was already allowed at the beginning of 2021. At the end of March, the 2021 Corona competition season started successfully with the Sirnach Spring Cup, and also the first artistic cycling meeting at the beginning of April took place. Club by club started to train and to elaborate competition procedures under the guidelines of the protection concept, which required a lot of skills. The organizers of the previous events have mastered this excellently. All athletes have finally enjoyed the return of a little normality in the everyday sport life. The previous competitions, so as all following competitions, were broadcast via livestream. The amount of clicks have shown that the live stream is actively used and is needed for all fans and athletes.
And now? What will happen next?
Of course, we hope that the first half of the year can be carried out as planned. For the second half of the season after the summer break, we hope to be able to hold the planned Swiss Austria Masters (together with the athletes from Austria) and the Elite Swiss Championships as well.
Stay healthy and see you again!
Günter Altwegg
– Commissaire and member of ICWW board