On April 2nd the European Judo Union held an Executive Committee Meeting by means of a video conference.
Due to the development with COVID-19 all over Europe and globally, it was decided to hold an EC Meeting to discuss and decide upon the further strategy regarding the pandemic. For this meeting the EJU members were asked in advance by online survey about the situation in their countries and proposals regarding upcoming events.
Based on these answers and after consulting with IJF, the EJU made the following decisions:
* Postponement of Senior European Championships 2020 in Prague CZE: Proposed new date: 8 – 10 Nov 2020 (Sun – Tue); date to be confirmed in negotations with O2 Arena Prague.
* Cancellation of all EJU events (tournaments, training camps, seminars, festival) until end of July 2020. The decision about August will be made by end of April.
* Postponement of Cadet European Judo Championships 2020 in Riga LAT: New date 28 Nov – 1 Dec (Sat – Tue).
* Holding the combined European Championships for Juniors and U23 in Porec (CRO) 11 – 15 Nov. The LUX JF will keep the right of the Junior ECh organiser in 2021.
* Mixed Team Championships 2020 are intended to be held in Bucharest on Nov 28.
* European Club Championships 2020 (Europa League and Champions League) will be cancelled.
* Both Kata and Veteran European Championships are postponed indefinitely, new date will be set later in coordination with IJF depending on whether and when the Kata and Veteran World Championships will be held.
* Based on further development and possibilities, the EJU will try to put some additional Cadet, Junior & Senior cups in Sept/Oct, as well as training camps.
These decisions are intended to provide better planning reliability in these difficult times and are based on the hope that the situation would normalise in Europe until summer, allowing Federations to start with training. Of course, the situation is constantly observed and all decisions are subject to review depending on development.
President Sergey Soloveychik:
On behalf of the European Judo Family I would like to express our solidarity with the nations affected by the pandemic and to thank all EJU Member Federations, the EJU partners and all members of our community for the understanding and support given to each other at such unusual times. Judo teaches us to adapt to new circumstances and to transfer them to the best opportunities. So I would like to I wish everyone to remain positive, to face the strict measures with all courage and patience and to take the best possible care of yourself and your close ones.