In light of current restrictions, BF will not be sending a team from the UK to the Cadet (U17) & Junior (U20) Championships in Cairo on 3-11th April 2021.
The FIE held an Executive Committee meeting on 20th February 2021 at which it was decided the Cadet and Junior World Championships will be going ahead from 3rd–11th April in Cairo. The full announcement can be read here.
After reviewing the current legislation and government guidance, and discussing further with DCMS and UK Sport, the position is that BF will not be sending a team from the UK to compete in the Cadet and Junior World Championships.
We recognise that this situation, whilst not necessarily a surprise, will be of course a great disappointment to our athletes. If your mental health is being affected in any way due to this news please do reach out (to your parents, your coaches, the ADP coaches and staff or to independent helplines) for help and support.
Details
Under current UK COVID-19 restrictions the government advice is “you must stay at home. You must not travel, including abroad, unless you have a legally permitted reason to do so. It is illegal to travel abroad for holidays and other leisure purposes”. This position, which prevents travel for non-essential/leisure purposes will not be changed until 12th April at the earliest. Attending fencing competitions is not currently considered an essential purpose.
In order for athletes to travel to international competitions from the UK they are required to use an elite exemption. Use of the elite exemption is now set out in law and the advice and recently updated travel regulations restricts the exemption for use for events specifically relating to qualification for Tokyo. BF is now required to report to DCMS any use of the elite exemption for travel (including individual names and reason).
As the Cadet and Junior World Championships is not a qualification event for Tokyo Olympics, BF will therefore not be sending athletes, coaches or staff from the UK to participate in this tournament.
In reaching this conclusion we have taken into account legislation, government guidance and discussed this matter with both DCMS and UK Sport.
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