MANILA, Philippines – The Alveo Ironman 70.3 in Davao City and the Penong’s 5150 Triathlon in Tagum, Davao del Norte were rescheduled in May due to the novel coronavirus menace.
Ironman organizers recently said the decision came from the host Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon, Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte upon the recommendation of the Department of Health in a battle against the deadly outbreak.
“As has been well publicized, the World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern as it relates to the nCoV outbreak,” the Ironman group said in a statement.
“With athletes safety being the primary concern and in alignment with the recent DoH advisory and the top officials of Tagum, Davao del Norte and Davao City, Ironman officials have decided to postpone the 5150 Triathlon and Ironman 70.3.”
The 5150 Triathlon was originally set February 23 and will be moved to May 3 while the Ironman 70.3 was reset from March 22 to May 10.
Other sporting events recently affected by the nCoV threat were the PBA, D-League, the 10th ASEAN Para Games, the Philippine National Games, the National Sports Summit, Children’s Games and NCAA high school events among others.
The Asia Oceania Olympic boxing qualifier was also transferred from Wuhan, China last week to Amman, Jordan next month.
Taekwondo’s Olympic qualifier in Wuxi, China is also in danger of being postponed.