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Henrik Christiansen, on the podium at the 2019 World Championships in Gawngju – Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant<\/p><\/div>\n
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg<\/strong> announced in a live public broadcast:<\/p>\n
“We are in a difficult time for Norway and for the world. Norway is being put to a big test as a society and we all, as individuals. In this period before us, everyone will have a different everyday life. The drastic measures we are now taking are in the hope of stopping the coronavirus.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Danish Swimming Federation<\/strong> is now in touch with FINA, the international federation that announced a swathe of cancellations\u00a0and postponements today<\/a>, to discuss how its swimmers might\u00a0qualify for the Olympic Games should the event survive the pandemic this year. The Danish body stated:<\/p>\n
\u2018We understand that this raises many thoughts and concerns, and must emphasize that we are in close contact with both FINA, the Danish Olympic Committee (DIF) and Team Danmark to give Danish swimmers the opportunity to qualify for the international championships this season \u2013 not least the Olympics\u2019<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Sweden<\/strong> has reported around 500 cases of the novel coronavirus, and recorded the first death in Scandinavia. As Nordic gym chain SATS announced that it is closing all its clubs as a precautionary measure, effective from lunchtime today, Stockholm health authorities announced<\/a> that only elderly people and patients in hospital will be tested for the coronavirus from now on. Other people who experience symptoms are instead directed to national health line 1177 and are urged to stay at home, not go to work, and limit social contact.<\/div>\n
That heightened awareness contributed to the cancellation of the Swim Cup, Stockholm.<\/p>\n
Dennis Fredriksson, the manager of the\u00a0Swim Open Stockholm\/Nordic Swim Tour at the\u00a0Sweden Swimming Federation<\/strong>, sent out the following cancellation note to the swimming community today:<\/p>\n
Dear Friends,<\/em><\/p>\n
Given the current situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading throughout the world and the new guidelines given by the swedish government and Public Health Agency, the Swedish Swimming Federation have decided to cancel \u00a0this year\u00b4s edition of Malmsten Swim Open Stockholm.<\/em>
\n\u00a0We are of course very sorry for this decision, this Olympic year was in all ways going to be something extra, both for your teams, all spectators and tv-viewers, but also for us in the Swim Open Organization team. We were all excited for some awsome days in Stockholm together. But we will have another go next year, on the 8-11 of April 2021 \u2013 Save the date!<\/em>
\nRefunds for accommodations<\/strong><\/em>
\nIn this situation, we are very fortunate to be able to work with such great accomodation partners in Clarion Hotel and Quality Globe Hotel. They have shown us and you as guests, big understanding given the situation, and we are happy to say that they \u00a0will be able to refund 50% of all your costs for accomodation. We will start the work next week and will contact you regarding a refund of the Swim Open accomodation package.<\/em>
\n\u00a0Don\u00b4t hesitate contact me if you have any further questions.<\/em>
\n\u00a0See you all next year \u2013 we already looking forward for the awesome event with you all!<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Meanwhile, in Britain, “many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time”<\/h2>\n
The United Kingdom has not yet triggered any lockdown measures, as yet, though Prime Minister Boris Johnson<\/strong> “levelled” with the nation today, saying that\u00a0“many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time”. Strategy was to “delay” because the National Health Service might not be able to cope otherwise.<\/p>\n
Although some sports events have been postponed, British Swimming<\/strong> issued the following tweets to confirm that Olympic swimming trials were still on on London next month, as things stand, and that expert advice was still being sought as to whether the London leg of the FINA Diving World Series could be staged:<\/a><\/p>\n
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The FINA Taskforce have confirmed they will review the situation on Monday (16 March). At present the British Swimming Championships and British Para-Swimming International Meet will also go ahead as planned in April.<\/p>\n
— Aquatics GB (@Aquatics_GB) March 12, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n