OFFICIAL STATEMENT: ARNOLD SPORTS FESTIVAL AUSTRALIA 2020 POSTPONED
Announcement posted by Markson Sparks! 16 Mar 2020
OFFICIAL STATEMENT: ARNOLD SPORTS FESTIVAL 2020 POSTPONED
It is with the deepest regret that the Arnold Sports Festival Australia announces the postponement of the scheduled 2020 event in Melbourne from March 20-22nd.
The rapid escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic has created an exceptional and unprecedented set of circumstances for our event. We have received guidance from the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), and its governing body the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET) on behalf of the State Government of Victoria that elements of the Victorian State Emergency Act will be enacted to ban any events over 500 people.
As such, the MCEC cannot allow the event to proceed and we are left with no choice but to postpone the event.
It goes without saying that this is absolutely heartbreaking for everyone involved. In the last few days we have been trying to find a way to continue even in a limited capacity, but our primary concern has been; and is, the health and welfare of the athletes competing, exhibitors, staff, our personnel, event partners and of course the tens of thousands of people attending.
Arnold Sports Festival organiser Tony Doherty says “ I am devastated that we can not go ahead with the Arnold Sports Festival Australia as scheduled. Although we examined any and all options available, the health and safety of the public, our athletes and our exhibitors are of paramount importance and our primary concern. I know that the event will be back bigger than ever and my team, our event partners and I will be working relentlessly to ensure it does ”
No scheduled events will proceed at the MCEC, however pending the particulars on the enactment of the Act some scheduled sporting events may run in other locations. This is yet to be finalised, but we hope to make announcements shortly.
We very much appreciate the assistance, understanding, support and cooperation of everyone involved in what has been a challenging and unprecedented time for the event.
Further information regarding refunds for ticket holders, details of the rescheduled date for the event and which sporting events are to continue in other venues will be communicated in due course.