Le Champion cancels all sports events until 1 March 2021

Virtual alternatives in development - 

Sports organisation Le Champion has decided not to organise any physical events until 1 March 2021. Based on current knowledge, it is not yet clear whether the government guidelines will allow for large events to be organised in the coming months. Given the long preparation time and many uncertain factors, it has now been decided, together with the partners involved, to cancel the events. Le Champion also wants to show responsibility with this decision.

“A particularly difficult decision”, says general director Ron van der Jagt of Le Champion. “But also a well-considered choice. People's health is our highest goal. We want nothing more than to inspire as many people as possible, young and old, to play sports and get moving. We are perfectly capable of organising events within the protocols of the sports associations and the 1.5-metre guidelines. We have already made these plans and discussed them with municipalities and partners involved. But we also feel a great responsibility for the safety and health of our participants, spectators, volunteers, and employees. It is not without reason that the cabinet calls for limiting all contact moments and travel movements.”

Le Champion therefore does not find it realistic and responsible to continue with the preparations. “We do not see physical events with thousands of participants happening in January and February. It is also not fair to the participants to open registration now. The situation at the moment is far too uncertain for that.”

Last week Le Champion already cancelled the Fjoertoer Egmond and this is now followed by the cancellation of the Midwinterduinloop, the Egmond-Pier-Egmond beach race, the NN Egmond Halve Marathon, the Egmond Wandel Marathon, the Groet uit Schoorl Run, and the Zandvoort Light Walk.

Virtual events
Now that the physical events will not take place until 1 March, the sports organisation will put even more energy into offering creative, virtual alternatives for cyclists, runners, and walkers. In recent months, events such as the Plus Wandel4daagse Alkmaar Home Edition (over 1,100 participants) and the Dam tot Damloop Home Edition (5,000 participants) took place. Last week the Virtual TCS Amsterdam Marathon (6,000 participants) was completed.

“We have shown with this that we can also get many people moving enthusiastically in this way. We will continue to do so to the full, in the hope that we can start offering physical events again from March 2021”, Van der Jagt concludes.