2023 World Indoor Champs cancelled (oh sorry, postponed...)

[Vault-emort]

I am happy with the Olympics/Worlds/Area&Commonwealth/Worlds four-year outdoor cycle - I just wish we could get back to it.

World Indoors I don't care about so much - they could be every year as far as I'm concerned - it's a side-show.

World XC could be every year too (or at least alternating with WI).

World Juniors could be every year too.

[DET59]

Do you really think the Chinese government's anti-Uyghur policies are going to be an issue for WA, or any other sport's governing body? It's not exactly recent news - I've been hearing about it in the media for several years.

The treatment of muslim minorities, either internally or externally, by any nation bidding on the WCs or Olympics has never been a factor in my opinion. Why would they start now?

[DET59]

Not giving an opinion on the championships every year, but what are the stats on World Records occurring in off years vs world/Olympic years?

A quick glance at mens WRs before the last real "off year" 2018 shows about a quarter were set in off years... I think a look at all time performances would be very dependent on the event. Eg, men's throws distances often are disapointing at Olys/WC's. Some things are fan preferences, Id rather see a paced, crowd crazy near world record in the 5000 than a Yifter style strategic kick race at Olys/WCs. As a multis fan meets like Talence and Gotzi become really important and key events in off years... Also in off years I can tell my wife any week this summer is a good time to visit your folks.

[Bruce Kritzler]

Not giving an opinion on the championships every year, but what are the stats on World Records occurring in off years vs world/Olympic years?

We just had 3 World Records after heats/rounds at Eugene. Don’t think it’s much of a hinderance.

[berkeley]

I'd vote for a WIC every year and Outdoor WC every year except the Olympic years.

Athletes' careers are tenuous, often with many injuries and other reasons for diminished form. Every 4 years gives them far too few opportunities. I hate to see a truly great athlete who never wins a major championship despite a long career.

[aaronk]

While I disassociate myself from clementina’s rude remarks, I agree with him that annual world championships - in any sport - diminish their importance. That’s why Olympics are so special.

Yes, yes, yes!!
Let's NOT have the play-offs or World Series this year!!
Let the teams play 162 regular season games, and then send them all home!!

Then, schedule the next post-season for 2024, then 2026.
Who cares whether the greatest teams in 2023 and 2025 don't have a chance at a World Series?!
We don't want to diminish the importance of the Series in '24 or '26, do we??!!

OK, that was sarcasm, but you get my idea.
Leaving the DL's aside, any "off" years would deny athletes the chance to be termed "Champion"!
This sport needs an ANNUAL World Championship/Olympics (either one, but preferably a WC)!!
Ditto for the INdoor version!!

As for World Records, they'll happen, WC/OG or not!!

[ATK]

with 3 off years where we could anticipate some good world record attempts un-hindered by training for heats. semis and finals ?

Not giving an opinion on the championships every year, but what are the stats on World Records occurring in off years vs world/Olympic years?

[DET59]

While I disassociate myself from clementina’s rude remarks, I agree with him that annual world championships - in any sport - diminish their importance. That’s why Olympics are so special.

Am I the only one who liked 3 Olympics/6 WC's every 12 years, with 3 off years where we could anticipate some good world record attempts un-hindered by training for heats. semis and finals ? Also gave me three summers where I didn't have to plan my summer vacations around 7-10 day sports schedules : )

[noone]

While I disassociate myself from clementina’s rude remarks, I agree with him that annual world championships - in any sport - diminish their importance. That’s why Olympics are so special.

[Powell]

And then there's this in today's news...

Do you really think the Chinese government's anti-Uyghur policies are going to be an issue for WA, or any other sport's governing body? It's not exactly recent news - I've been hearing about it in the media for several years.

[The Klingon]

I always thought the WC should go back to every 4 years, and move it to two years apart from the OG. This way every other year you have a Global championship, and the years in between can be set aside for rest/euros, commonwealth and any other lesser championships. .

I am in totally agreement with you on this.

[br]

There is clearly a commercial story behind it still not definitively canceling. A sad story for organizers in Nanjing.

And then there's this in today's news...

Uyghurs: China may have committed crimes against humanity in Xinjiang - UN

The UN has accused China of "serious human rights violations" in a long-awaited report into allegations of abuse in Xinjiang province.
China had urged the UN not to release the report - with Beijing calling it a "farce" arranged by Western powers.
The report assesses claims of abuse against Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic minorities, which China denies.
But investigators said they found "credible evidence" of torture possibly amounting to "crimes against humanity".

[Conor Dary]

Financial Times

Yet experts believe President Xi Jinping’s zero-Covid policy will continue into 2023 until Chinese scientists find ways to stop the spread of the virus or for a dominant mutation to emerge with far milder consequences than Omicron.

“It will require some miracles,” said Chen Long, a partner at Plenum, a consultancy in Beijing. “They are hoping for a super vaccine that’s going to be much more effective than the current ones anywhere in the world. Or, for the virus to evolve and become less fatal.”

Xi’s efforts to rid China of coronavirus are taking a huge economic toll. The policy will shave 1.6-2 percentage points off gross domestic product growth this year, according to Natixis, the French bank, based on a calculation of retail sales and intracity mobility compared with pre-pandemic levels.

[RvW]

Logical decision not to keep it in 2023, but 2025 doesn't make sense either. There is clearly a commercial story behind it still not definitively canceling. A sad story for organizers in Nanjing. So many delays. And can thus drive EC in Apeldoorn into the wheels (planned for March 13-16). Nice communication between WA and EA.

[Flumpy]

After this year I'd be more than happy if there were no majors champs in 2023. I'm exhausted.