We regret to inform the global masters orienteering community that the World Masters Orienteering Championships (WMOC ) 2020 scheduled to be held August 7-15 in Slovakia has to be cancelled as a consequence of the ongoing Corona (Covid-19) virus pandemic. This decision was made by the organisers following consultation with the Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic and other experts. The IOF has also been consulted and fully supports the decision of the organiser. Our common priority is on protecting the health and well-being of the participants.
However, this does not mean that the WMOC will not be in Slovakia. The event will be re-scheduled to be held in Slovakia at the latest in 2023. More than 3100 entries had been made to WMOC in Slovakia with several months remaining, so the popularity of the event and the destination are obvious.
The international sports calendars for 2020 and 2021 are being revised and the overall impact is not yet known. Particularly the final placement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the calendar can have an impact on many sports events including the World Masters Games/WMOC in Japan in 2021. But is too early to tell. The IOF will come back with information as it becomes available.
Regarding entries already made to the WMOC 2020 in Slovakia, the organisers will be contacting all participants. Please await this information.