Oceania track meet on hold

In this 2019 file photo, the CNMI’s Leilani Acosta competes in the women’s high jump U18 event in the Oceania Athletics Championships held at the Townsville Sports Reserve in Queensland, Australia. (Oceania Athletics Association)

The fate of the 2021 Oceania Athletics Championships hangs in the balance as the Oceania Athletics Association withdrew the hosting rights of the biennial event from Vanuatu.

Vanuatu is supposed to hold the area championship in Port Vila in May, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it could not host the competition this year.

“With the current climate surrounding Covid-19, OAA and Athletics Vanuatu have been unable to successfully implement the necessary work needed for Port Vila to be able to host the Championships,” OAA competitions manager Tom O’Shaughnessy was quoted as saying on the association’s official website.

OAA president Robin Sapong, who is also the secretary general of Northern Marianas Athletics, confirmed the sad development, but assured OAA member-federations that they are looking at all possible options for the event and its participants.

Female athletes see action in the 100m hurdles event during the 2019 Oceania Athletics Championships in Australia. (Oceania Athletics Association)

“The COVID-19 pandemic meant that there is little or no travel guarantee in 2021 and therefore hosting the event is problematic. OAA is currently trying to ascertain whether any international competitions can be conducted in 2021. Once OAA has more certainty, we will recommence with the organization of the championships,” Sapong said.

The 2021 Oceania Athletics Championships is important to athletes seeking qualifying slots in this year’s Tokyo Olympic Games and the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

“OAA continues to work with all our member Federations, World Athletics, and all other relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can support athletes and federations in this difficult time to ensure there is sufficient competition opportunities for athletes. The OAA office has been tasked with reviewing all alternative options and dates for an area championships to be held in 2021,” O’Shaughnessy.

The last Oceania Athletics Championships was held in Townsville, Australia with over 700 athletes from 22 nations competing in the U18, U20, open, masters, and para events. The CNMI fielded eight athletes, including World Championship veteran Zarinae Sapong, in the 2019 edition of the tournament. Leani Acosta, Jamie Pangelinan, Traven Quitugua, Gabriel Sappa, Oldie Joe Roligat, Theyvie They, and Tinian’s Tyler Santos completed the squad.