The Beijing marathon, scheduled for October 31, has been postponed indefinitely to prevent any risk of transmission of Covid-19, a hundred days before the Olympic Games (JO), the organizers announced Sunday, October 24.
China recorded 39 new cases of Covid-19 on Monday, testing its policy of ” zero tolerance “ with regard to the coronavirus.
Beijing Marathon postponed indefinitely “So as to prevent the risk of epidemic transmission [et] to effectively protect the health and safety of runners, staff and residents ”, said the organizers in a statement.
Some 30,000 runners were due to take part in the event on October 31.
Massive tests
The Wuhan marathon, which was to have 26,000 participants last Sunday in the city where the new coronavirus was first identified at the end of 2019, was also canceled at the last moment for the same reasons.
Beijing will mark the hundred days before the Winter Olympics on Wednesday, which will begin on February 4. Organizers admitted earlier this month that they were “Faced with great pressure” due to Covid-19.
Chinese authorities are working to contain the contagion by carrying out massive tests on residents and targeted closures. Authorities announced on Sunday the suspension of inter-provincial organized trips to five regions where cases have been detected, including Beijing. Some cities have also suspended bus and taxi services.