After wide consultation, the British Orienteering Federation wish to make the following statement regarding orienteering during the present foot and mouth outbreak.
* The British Orienteering Federation strongly recommends that all orienteering events to be held in fields, forests or parkland etc are suspended during the current foot and mouth outbreak, and for at least six weeks after the last confirmed instance.
* Such a policy will apply to all Federation events (the JK, the British Orienteering Championships, the British Elite Championships, the Harvester Relays, the Peter Palmer Junior Team Relays, and the British Schools Orienteering Championships). As a result JK2001 will not take place on April 12th to 16th. Updated information on other Federation events will be made available on the BOF website and answerphone, or directly from BOF office.
* Clubs or associations who wish to hold their own events during this time must do so only with the full agreement of all landowners affected (including car parking), and with due regard to the possible impact on public perceptions of the sport.
Nationally:
The first major orienteering event of the year, the JK International Festival, traditionally held over the Easter Weekend and attracting competitors from all over the UK and rest of the World has been cancelled.
This entails a major loss of revenue for the Federation, the organising Association and for the local community who would have benefitted from a considerable ‘visitor spend’.
The position of other Federation events will be considered in an ongoing rolling review.
Locally:
On a local level, clubs who organise their own events have already shown their responsible attitude to the countryside and the farming community by working with landowners in cancelling or postponing those orienteering events that were to be held in areas of risk.
Press Statement 1st March 2001
For further information please contact:
British Orienteering Federation
Teresa Dudley
Marketing Manager
Tel:01629 734042
www.britishorienteering.org.uk