The impact of Covid-19 in the IJF Judo World Tour is massive

It won’t be made easier for everyone involved in the IJF World Tour. Going through the IJF Covid Protocol makes clear that the coronavirus has a permanent impact on the judo events. All the persons present in the competition venue must wear a mask, except in particular cases. Referees must also wear a mask when officiating.

Event organisers will have to take severe measures in hygiene, rooting and all venues such as hotels, the airport and sport arena will be sanitized regularly, nothing wrong with that, but if the average athlete and staff will be happy to deal with this, is another question.

The athletes will be welcomed at the airport with local staff. Simple things like taking your own luggage into the transport is something you now think about more careful. Lining up for the busses, distance in the busses it will all be difficult and time consuming.

Same situation in the hotels and obviously with masks on at all times in public spaces of the hotel. Accreditation and draw is limited to a limited number of coaches to ensure a safe distance and no press is invited at the draw.

In the sports hall there will be sanitizers everywhere, but that is not new for the venues who must be prepared for months, not just for the Judo World Tour. Still, it also includes all the special rooms, VIP seats and tribunes where normally handshakes are common.

Only one coach per gender is accepted in the warming up area. A running order with hourly reservations for athletes and delegations who don’t compete that day in a special training space.

The tatami will be cleaned and disinfected after every round, so is the warming up area after every 15 minutes. The coach will be in charge of carrying the box with the personal belongings of the competitor and must wear a mask in the competition area.

The athletes will put the medals around their neck themselves; the medals will be presented on a cushion. No physical contact, no handshake, only judo bow allowed. All VIPs and hostesses involved must wear masks, so the VIP family picture will not be the same anymore. All IJF staff will wear masks. Only athletes will step on the podium without a mask.

So we wish everyone good luck in the IJF Judo World Tour that hasn’t even given a date when it’s expected to be back, but corona will definitely have an impact in the World Tour’s future.