‘Restrictions remain but we will explore all ways to deliver Indoor Season’

Wednesday 12th January 2022

Nikki Manson in high jump action at the Senior Champs in January 2020 (photo by Bobby Gavin)

4J National Indoor Open a success as 600 compete

scottishathletics remain firmly resolved to deliver indoor competition opportunities this winter – despite ongoing Covid-19 restrictions for indoor sports.

The 4J Senior and U17 Champs will go ahead on Saturday 22 January at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow but unfortunately we are not allowed to stage all events and there will be a limit to the number of spectators.

Working with the Track and Field Commission, our Officials and other volunteers, our Events team are exploring every avenue to meet our ambition of offering Scottish Championship competition in all events at some stage during the 2022 Indoor Season.

In practical terms that may mean adjusting timetables, creating new dates, slotting certain disciplines into other championship dates etc.

‘Following on from the First Minister’s update on Tuesday January, sportscotland have confirmed that the restrictions in place for indoor contact sport will continue until at least Monday 24 January,’ said Colin Hutchison, our chief executive.

‘As intimated by the First Minister, we expect all restrictions on indoor contact sport to be lifted at that point.

‘I want to stress that everyone at the governing body shares the frustrations of our membership with the continuation of these restrictions beyond January 17.

Colin Hutchison chats with Francis Smith at an outdoor championship event last summer (photo by Bobby Gavin)

‘We have forcibly expressed our disappointment. scottishathletics have alongside our other Scottish governing body partners appealed for the lifting of these restrictions to be made sooner.

‘I can confirm we presented detailed alternatives to enable us to deliver all events within our Senior National Championships on January 22 (including non-laned events for adults).

‘However, we understand that there is unlikely to be any exemption granted for this event due to the Covid-19 legislation currently in place.

‘We will contact all athletes affected directly and continue to look for alternatives.

‘We are now fully focussed on delivering a successful National Championship event on January 22 and doing all we can to accommodate the affected Championship events at a later date within our indoor calendar.

‘I’d like to put on record our thanks to our members for their continued support and patience.’