IAU 24H World Championships, Romania 2-3rd October 2021 &
WMA 24H World Championships, Romania 2-3rd October 2021,
IAU 50K World Championships, Chinese Taipei, 31st October 2021
We are deeply sorry to have to announce the cancellation of both the 2021 IAU 24 hours World Championships scheduled for 2-3 October 2021 in Romania, together with the associated WMA 24H World Championships, and also the IAU 50K World Championships which were going to be held in Chinese Taipei on 31st October 2021.
The decision to cancel the events was taken jointly with the Local Organising Committee (LOC), the Romanian Athletic Federation and the WMA in the case of the 24H World Championships, and also the LOC the Chinese Taipei Association of Ultrarunners for the 50K World Championships.
In both cases the decisions were taken after consideration of all the current risks and benefits of holding international championships in the respective host countries. The local situations in each host country differed but, more importantly, we needed to consider the global variation in risks as well. The safety of the athletes and spectators were a priority as well as to make sure that the participants from all regions had a fair chance to take part in the World Championship.
We are acutely aware that this will cause a lot of disappointment in our community but hopefully we can look forward to a better picture in 2022 for all of us. Currently preparations for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai in Thailand from 11th to 14th November 2021 continue to progress however all the organisations involved will continue to monitor the situation.
All best wishes and stay safe and well in these troubled times.
IAU Executive Council
June 25th, 2021
