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Photo Courtesy: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE<\/p><\/div>\n

The Brazilian Olympic trials will go ahead next month without spectators at the Maria Lenk Water Park<\/strong> in Rio de Janeiro as the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic become ever more far-reaching.<\/p>\n

The Brazilian Confederation of Aquatic Sports <\/b>(CBDA) revealed that they, along with the Olympic Committee of Brazil, had taken the decision to hold the competition, which will run from 20-25 April, behind closed doors.<\/p>\n

A statement from the CBDA read:<\/p>\n

“The Brazilian Olympic Committee, to which the CBDA is affiliated, recommended, following medical guidelines, that all events at the Maria Lenk Water Park, managed by the COB, should not have a public presence to prevent the proliferation of the virus.<\/em><\/p>\n
“Valuing the health and well-being of athletes, coaches, staff and the public, all involved in the competition that will define the Brazilian team for the Tokyo Olympic Games, the entities decided that, for now, the selective will have closed gates. The decision can be changed, according to the recommendations of the health agencies.<\/em><\/p>\n
“The official CBDA calendar, as reported on Thursday afternoon (12), will be maintained. The Confederation, however, is attentive to the recommendations of the Federal Government and the Brazilian Olympic Committee and may change its decisions, including postponing the holding of the Brazilian Olympic Trials.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Swim Ireland Announces Postponement of Olympic And Paralympic Trials<\/h3>\n
Swim Ireland has announced that the Irish Open Swimming Championships, which double as the Olympic and Paralympic trials, have been postponed in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.<\/p>\n
The competition was due to take place at the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin, from 1-5 April but the Irish governing body has announced it is now scheduled for the end of June.<\/p>\n
Tokyo 2020 is due to take place from 24 July to August 9 with the Paralympics scheduled for 25 August to 6 September.<\/p>\n
However, the Olympic Games are increasingly under threat with swathes of events across all sports worldwide being postponed or cancelled.<\/p>\n
Swim Ireland released a statement, which read:<\/p>\n
“Taking into consideration all information with regards to Covid-19, recommendations and discussions with various stakeholders over the past few days we have taken the difficult decision to postpone the Irish Open Swimming Championships \u2013 Olympic and Paralympic Trials scheduled for April 1st \u2013 5th at the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin.<\/em><\/p>\n
“We have been looking at a number of options and the current plan is to reschedule this event to the end of June (taking into consideration dates of Irish National Division 2\u2019s and Irish Summer Nationals, training camps etc\u2026). We are working with all stakeholders to find the best solution and will update everyone accordingly.<\/em><\/p>\n
“We understand this news will be disappointing, however, the health and welfare of our membership is at the forefront and we believe this is the right decision to make. We are fully committed to helping our athletes secure qualification for Olympic and Paralympic Games and European Junior Championships.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
National performance director Jon Rudd<\/strong> posted on social media, saying:<\/p>\n
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A necessary call. But we\u2019ll be back and so will our athletes \u2618\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/dlAuqJwntm<\/a><\/p>\n
— Jon Rudd (@coachjonrudd) March 13, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n