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Canmore world cup races a go amid coronavirus concerns

The world's best cross-country skiers are coming to town for the March 20-22 races.

CANMORE – Organizers of the 2020 COOP FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Canmore are currently moving ahead with the races later this month amid global COVID-19 coronavirus concerns.

In a statement Saturday (March 7) from Greg Thompson, chair of the organizing committee for the Alberta World Cup Cross Country 2020, he said they are looking forward to staging a "safe and great competition" at the Canmore Nordic Centre from March 20-22.

“As host of the 2020 COOP FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Canmore, the safety of our spectators, volunteers, athletes, coaches and staff is our top priority. The Organizing Committee is monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely, and working in conjunction with Alberta Health Services to ensure precautions are taken to create a safe environment. We are also working with our International and national sport partners to review necessary countermeasures required for the event.”

The world's best skiers from 20 countries, plus their coaches and international media will be coming to Canmore for the season finale races.

Thompson added updates would be provided on the Alberta World Cup website and on social media as new information becomes available.

As of Saturday, there are two confirmed cases of the virus in the province, however, the risk level is low in Alberta, according to the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Deena Hinshaw, in a March 7 statement.

According to the Alberta government, the COVID-19 causes “some cause respiratory illness in people, ranging from mild common colds to severe illnesses. Others cause illness in animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people then spread from person to person through close contact. Novel coronaviruses are new strains of the virus that have not been previously identified in humans. The COVID-19 strain does not appear to be as severe as other coronaviruses, such as SARS. Many patients have reported only mild symptoms.”


Jordan Small

About the Author: Jordan Small

An award-winning reporter, Jordan Small has covered sports, the arts, and news in the Bow Valley since 2014. Originally from Barrie, Ont., Jordan has lived in Alberta since 2013.
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