2020 Atlanta Georgia Relays cancelled due to Coronavirus pandemic
The Relays that enjoyed growing participation from a number of Jamaican high schools were scheduled to be held May 23 and 24, 2020 at the McEachern High School Track in Powder Springs, Georgia.
However, due to the rampant spread of the Coronavirus, said they will now shift their focus to the 2021 season.
“The decision, a difficult one, was taken against the spread of the Coronavirus and the resultant increase in cases across the country with many states being affected,” organisers said. “We would not be able to host the event without putting the lives of our athletes and fans at risk.”
The organisers said when they issued their first advisory in March, they were hopeful of the slightest possibility of staging the relays.
“We carefully considered what that means for our athletes, whose general health and well-being are of paramount concern to us. Many of our athletes and supporters held out hope with us. Many pleaded with us to make the event a reality to give the athletes a final shot for the season. And we wanted to. It is now apparent however that it won’t be possible. We also have to adhere to State and Federal guidelines which have been implemented to protect the general public,” the statement said.
“We would like to thank wholeheartedly our committed (AGR) team; our customers, partners, ambassadors, sponsors, stakeholders, the media and friends for supporting and believing in the AGR Brand. It’s been six years of hard work. We thank you for your continued patience, loyalty and understanding. Our success to date is because of you.”
They said are planning to implement initiatives to assist athletes from the Atlanta, Georgia community, who will be displaced because of the pandemic and will make announcements in that regard soon.