After much deliberation, Athletics New Zealand has determined that it will not be sending a team to the 2020 World Athletics Half Marathon Championships, rescheduled to take place in Gdynia, Poland on 17 October.
A number of reasons have led to this decision. Our highest priority is the well-being and safety of Athletics NZ athletes, members and staff, and we are not willing to place our athletes, members or staff in a position that could compromise their health and safety.
We are also heeding the New Zealand Government travel advice for all New Zealand citizens (regardless of their place of residence), which recommends against international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have therefore concluded that it would not be appropriate or responsible for Athletics NZ to send a team to this event.
The selected athletes have been notified directly.