British Swimming left with ‘no alternative’ but to cancel Summer Championships

March 25, 2020
British Swimming has confirmed its Summer Championships have been cancelled.

Chief executive Jack Buckner said they were left with ‘no alternative’ but to call off the event, which was due to take place at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge International Pool between 21-26 July,

The cancellation was agreed following the latest guidelines about social distancing and with pools across the country closed in a bid to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

With uncertainty about when those measures will be lifted, British Swimming said it was a ‘unanimous decision’ between itself, British Para-swimming and the home nations.

British Swimming said ‘it goes without saying that the health and wellbeing of our swimming community is the priority at this time and, as such, it is not right to focus on performance swimming’.

Jack added: “Following on from the Tokyo 2020 postponement, we have been left with no alternative but to cancel the British Summer Championships.

“Whilst we have no clarity around when social distancing measures will be lifted, or when athletes and coaches will be able to return to what they do best, we feel this is the only appropriate course of action.

Huge disappointment

“Everyone at British Swimming and the Home Nations knows that this will come as a huge disappointment to all involved, but ultimately the health of the global population must come first.

“Thank you for your understanding at this difficult time.”

Swim England had already confirmed that its National Summer Meet would not be going ahead as planned.

That was due to be held at the same time as the swimming competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which were yesterday postponed until next year.

Meanwhile, British Swimming’s Performance Leadership Group is no longer reviewing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic selection policy following the decision to postpone the event until next year.

With regards the 2020 European Championships (pool) selection policy, British Swimming said it remains under review due to the uncertainty surrounding the competition.

A British Swimming statement said: “A further advisory on this policy will be published when LENC confirms the dates for this competition.”