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15/01/2021 00:00, In Blog / Track & Field /

Whilst we are in Alert Level 4 in Wales, only Elite Athletes are being given dispensation to train and to travel to do so. We appreciate that many Welsh athletes train and compete at a very high standard, but the definition of 'Elite Athlete Status' that we are required to work with by Sport Wales and the Welsh Government is as follows

The Sport, Recreation and Leisure Guidance for a safe return by Welsh Government issued 15 June 2020 (updated 22/12/2020) confirms the following:

‘Elite athletes: Not all elite sportspeople are professional and earn a living through sport. For the purpose of the regulations and this guidance, elite athletes are individuals designated as such by Sport Wales. There remain strict protocols in place to allow those athletes to train and prepare safely, without compromising their own health and the health and safety of others.’

• In the spirit of this guidance, Welsh Athletics has nominated that all athletes on the 2021 Commonwealth Games Support Programme for Elite Status under Welsh Guidelines.  At this juncture, the only athletes that have been granted Elite Status are those on Commonwealth Games Programme, Potential or Associate Athlete status.  The pathway tier of our programme - Futures athletes - has not currently been granted status however we are working closely with Sport Wales to consider this possibility as a priority.
• Elite Athletes receive a dispensation to travel to and train in protected environments and travel / compete at Elite designated events.

British Indoor Athletic Championships

We are aware that a few Welsh Athletes have been invited to compete at the British Indoor Championships 2021.  To be clear unless an athlete already has Elite Status, they do not have dispensation to travel / compete at these Championships.  We are aware of the frustration that this will cause for a number of athletes and we are working with both Sport Wales and British Athletics to confirm if there is any possibility of granting special dispensation for these Championships.  We expect to be able to issue a further update next week.

 

The Health and Safety of our Athletics Community remains the priority for Welsh Athletics and we would respectfully ask that all in the community continue to operate within the Guidance / Legislation that the Welsh Government has published.

Any questions or concerns on the above update please contact:

• Chris Jones, National Coach, Welsh Athletics – 07481 938008, Chris.jones@welshathletics.org
• Adrian Palmer, Programme Manager, Welsh Athletics – 07896 513584, Adrian.palmer@welshathletics.org