Valery Starkin, the head of the Penza Gymnastics Federation, told media that the upcoming Russian Championships will be held without spectators:
“Due to the situation with the coronavirus, the competition will take place without spectators. We have a recommendation letter according to which we can allow a small number of fans into the arena. But we don’t want to risk it, only specialists and judges will get access to the arena. We want to make the risk of a possible infection as low as possible”.
There were several regional and national competitions in Russia in the past month, including the annual Khorkina Cup in Belgorod that allowed spectators. However, the infection rates continue to rise in Russia and the organizers’ caution is understandable. Not that competitions in Penza attract many spectators in non-pandemic years anyway.
The Russian Championships were originally supposed to be in Lobnya in November but will take place in Penza. MAG Nationals will take place from October 26th to November 1st and WAG Nationals – on November 2nd-8th. Both seniors and juniors will participate as the upcoming European Championships in Mersin include senior and junior competitions. All participants at the Russian Championships will have to do PCR tests for COVID-19 in order before arriving in Penza.
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