With increasing concerns around novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and the escalating spread of the virus, Triathlon Australia are diligently working to stay across all updates and make sound and informed decisions in regards to our people, our work environment and events.
Our primary aim is to protect the health and safety of our members and employees and provide accurate information.
Please find below a number of key updates from Triathlon Australia and its State and Territory Triathlon Associations.
Club Training – 01/04/20
The Australian Government issued updated guidelines on non-essential public gatherings on Sunday March 29, limiting most indoor and outdoor non-essential gatherings to 2 people.
As a triathlon community we need to be part of the solution, not the problem that Government is trying to tackle by social distancing and reducing large gatherings.
All members should adhere to the Australian Government’s guidelines regarding social distancing and non-essential gatherings. Please consider training by yourself, or at home where possible.
You should always keep 1.5 METRES AWAY from people, avoid any handshakes or physical contact with people outside your family.
Current information on limits on public gatherings
Current Australian Government Social Distancing Guidelines
2020 Australian Age Group Triathlon Team - 17/03/20
Triathlon Australia understands that a number of athletes who were competing at upcoming 2020 Australian Age Group Triathlon Team selection races will be impacted in relation to potential selection points for the 2020 Australian Age Group Triathlon Team.
Please find an update regarding the 2020 Australian Age Group Triathlon Team selection below, and on the TA website.
We understand a number of athletes who were competing at the following 2020 Australian Age Group Triathlon Team selection races will be impacted in relation to potential selection points for the 2020 Australian Age Group Triathlon Team:
- Sprint Distance Triathlon St Kilda, Victoria on the 28th March 2020 (currently entries have been paused, registered participants will be contacted by O2 Events directly by COB on Wednesday the 19th of March 2020)
- Australian Age Group Sprint Distance National Championships - Gold Coast 5th April 2020 (postponed, the Event Crew will be in contact directly with registered participants for this event)
Please do not panic, we are aware athletes have been impacted during this challenging time. Athletes who have been impacted by these race cancellations/ postponements can still be selected to the 2020 Australian Age Group Triathlon team through discretionary selection. Discretionary selection is outlined in the relevant 2020 Australian Age Group Triathlon Team Selection Policies.
Athletes must apply online through the TA website by 5pm AEDST on Monday the 6th of April. If you choose to apply for discretionary selection in addition to your online team application you must email alexandra.fehon@triathlon.org.au outlining that you were going to race at either the last sprint and or standard distance triathlon selection race and any further race results which could support your 2020 team application.
Please note that as of the 16th of March 2020 Triathlon Australia has not received more than 20 team applications in either the sprint or standard distance teams (per gender and per age group). Triathlon Australia can select 20 athletes per age and per gender across both the 2020 ITU Age Group Sprint Distance World Championships (draft legal) and the 2020 ITU Age Group Standard Distance Triathlon World Championships. Applications will close as noted at 5pm AEDST on Monday the 6th of April 2020.
Sanitarium Weet-Bix Triathlon - 17/03/20
Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing (SHW) has postponed the remaining events on the schedule for the 2020 season – this includes Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Townsville.
Please see below an update from SHW which is available on their website:
At Sanitarium, the health of our community is our top priority. With the increasing emergence of COVID-19 and in line with the Government’s position on mass gatherings, Sanitarium will be postponing the remainder of the 2020 Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon Series.
With events yet to be held in Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Townsville, we are working to secure new dates from October through to December for the delivery of these events. We are closely consulting with venues and health authorities to ensure we can continue to run safe events for our TRYathletes and families to enjoy. We expect to be able to provide further clarity on new dates for those events affected, by the end of March.
If you are an existing registered participant, you will remain entered for the new dates. However, if these dates are not suitable for you to attend, you will be able to request a full refund up until a month out from the new event dates.
TA School Activation Program - 17/03/20
Due to the current climate, Triathlon Australia has made the decision to cease the School Activation program for the remainder of this financial year.
2020 Celebration of Champions Annual Awards Evening - 17/03/20
Triathlon Australia regretfully announces that the 2020 Celebration of Champions Annual Awards Evening due to take place Sunday April 5 at QT Hotel will be postponed.
Attendees will be informed of the rescheduled date as soon as possible, and we look forward to celebrating our 2020 Award recipients with the triathlon community in the future.
Those who have purchased tickets online have been refunded.
OTU & ITU Racing - 14/04/20
Triathlon Australia wishes to provide you the below update concerning the status of upcoming races, including the New Plymouth OTU Junior Championship 2020.
As announced on April 3, 2020 via the ITU website, the ITU have decided to extend the suspension all activities until the 30th of June 2020.
We can confirm that the following events will not take place on their allotted date:
- New Plymouth OTU Junior Championship (28.03.2020)
- Oceania Mixed Relay Championships (29.03.2020)
- Gold Coast Continental Cup (05.04.2020)
- Moreton Bay Standard Distance Continental Championships (19.04.2020).
-
Runaway Bay Super Sprint Continental Cup & Mixed Relay Invitational (01.05 - 03.05.20)
Any decision to reschedule these events will be communicated in due course.
Junior Racing - 14/04/20
As the Automatic selection race for Junior World Championships will not take place (New Plymouth OTU Junior Championship), selections will be referred back to the Selection Policy (section 2.4b). This states that should this event be void, discretionary selections will be made for all positions on the Junior World Championship team.
Quota will need to be worked through with the ITU as this is the race where quota is qualified.
As a result of the cancellations over the domestic season, the following will apply in relation to the National Series.
- U23 Series Results – null and void.
- Junior Series – null and void.
- Junior Bursary – null and void.
- Youth Series – valid as per standings post Devonport.
For any queries on the above please contact Daniel Mangano at Daniel.Mangano@triathlon.org.au
TA Member Update – 05/03/20
What to do if you become unwell – illness in general:
If you become unwell prior to travel, it is recommended that you organise a review with your GP prior to travel, to ensure it is medically safe to travel.
If you become unwell and are due to train, it is recommended that you do not attend training, and organise a review with your GP to ensure it is safe to train and minimise infectious spread.
What to do if you become unwell and are concerned you may have coronavirus:
Coronavirus presents as a mild cold like illness in the majority of people. If you have a known exposure or have travelled to an area of high or moderate risk, and have a fever, shortness of breath, or flu like symptoms (including cough, sore throat, fatigue) or any other concerns please isolate yourself, and phone your General Practitioner or Hospital Emergency Department, and notify them prior to attending a review.
How to minimise risk:
Good hand hygiene is likely the single most effective method for reducing the risk of spread of viral illness.
Good hand hygiene should include:
• washing hands and/or use of hand sanitiser
• Avoid touching your face, particularly eyes, nose and mouth, with unwashed hands
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue (where possible) and wash your hands afterwards
• Avoid close contact with others, such as touching or shaking hands
• Clean your tray table and other surfaces with hand sanitiser, antibacterial wipes, or a cleaning spray
• While travelling, if someone is unwell on the aircraft near you, you can notify the flight attendant, in case they are able to be moved
Please read this link regarding how to wash hands
In relation to hand sanitiser, it is recommended to use an alcohol based product (with 60-95% ethanol or isopropanol). Make sure to apply enough product to cover both hands thoroughly, front and back, and in between your fingers. Cleaning should take 20-30 seconds. If your hands are visually dirty please wash your hands.
If you would like further information regarding prevention, the Centre for Disease Control provides a good summary.
Public health recommendations are that masks are not needed for illness prevention, unless you are a healthcare worker, or caring for someone with coronavirus. However, if you would prefer to wear a mask to minimise risk of illnesses spread through respiratory measures, it is recommended that you utilise a P2 or N95 respirator mask. Information regarding how to use these is provided here.
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