The IOF Council met for its record 7th meeting of the year, 6 of them fully digital, on Friday November 20th. The full minutes of the meeting can be found on the Council webpage.
Returning to sport in 2021
One of the main topics for discussion at the meeting were suggesting criteria for the holding of IOF major events such as World Championships in 2021. There was agreement among the Council members that a return to sporting activities was of the utmost importance for athletes, organisers and member federations as long as these could be conducted in fair circumstances and with appropriate Covid-19 virus safety protocols in place. Council determined that there was a likelihood that travel restrictions would still be in place at the time of many 2021 IOF events and therefore agreed to suggest lessening participation requirements. The following criteria were suggested for different categories of events.
For World Championships, in all disciplines
- To maintain Championships status, 4 of the 6 top national teams or 6 of the top 10 national teams will need to be able to be present.
- A final decision by the IOF on the holding of the event will be made at the latest 6 weeks prior to the event.
- A Covid-19 safety protocol will need to be in place.
For World Cups, Junior World Championships and regional championships with team entry, in all disciplines
- There will be no requirement for a minimum number of national teams being able to participate to maintain the major event status.
- A final decision by the IOF on the holding of the event will be made at the latest 6 weeks prior to the event.
- A Covid-19 safety protocol will need to be in place.
For Masters World Championships, in all disciplines
- There will be no requirement for participants from a minimum number of nations being able to participate to maintain the major event status.
- A final decision by the IOF on the holding of the event will be made at the latest 3 months prior to the event.
- A Covid-19 safety protocol will need to be in place.
These criteria are now open for Member Federation and Athletes Commission comment and Council will set and communicate final criteria before the end of 2020. During this time each IOF major event organiser will also be contacted by the IOF Office to understand their own challenges and criteria for being able to hold their event in 2021 with the objective of being able to offer assistance if required. Priority will be on making sure that World Championships may be held for the respective target groups of elite athletes.
World Masters Orienteering Championships 2021 to Hungary
Following the postponement of the World Masters Games 2021 in Japan to 2022, Council had initiated work to find an organiser of a WMOC in the calendar year 2021. Council also considered a suggestion from the organisers in Japan to organise WMOC 2021 (with 2021 age classes) as a part of the World Masters Games in May 2022, but this was considered not to be an optimal solution as there would only be a short period of time between WMOC 2021 in Japan and WMOC 2022 in Italy in that case. Of the 2 applications which were received for hosting a WMOC 2021 at short notice, Council decided to appoint Hungary, with the event to be held in August (preliminary dates 7th – 13th). The Event Center will be located in the town of Velence in the Fejér region, approximately 50 km southwest of Budapest.
If for some reason the WMOC 2021 event cannot be held in Hungary in August, such as Covid-19 restrictions still being in place, it may once again be added to the World Masters Games 2022 program in Japan.
Other items of note from the Council meeting
- The IOF Competition Rules for the upcoming season were approved with only a few minor updates.
- Council confirmed a number of new members in IOF Commissions, including a brand-new structure for the Trail Orienteering Commission.
- Financial forecasts for 2021 were set including actions to minimize the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on IOF finances.
- Council established a proposed framework for the implementation of the Athletes Representation decisions from the General Assembly in July 2020. This framework would now be consulted with the current IOF Athletes Commissions prior to implementation.
- Council decided that a joint proposal from the Ski Orienteering Commission and MTB Orienteering Commission regarding the creation of a U23 Championships and World Cup class should be consulted with members and Athletes Commissions prior to a final Council decision.
The full minutes of the Council meeting.