AIMS Announces Cancellation of 23rd World Congress in Batumi, Georgia

The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) has taken the decision to cancel the 23^rd World Congress of AIMS, scheduled to take place in Batumi, Georgia between 23 – 26 April 2020.

Due to the ongoing global spread of ‘COVID-19’ (or ‘Coronavirus’), on 28 of February the World Health Organisation (WHO) revised their assessment of the risks of further spread and impact of the infection from ‘high’ to ‘very high’.

Taking the advice of the WHO, the AIMS Board, in consultation with the Local Organisation Manager have decided, to protect the health of AIMS Members, speakers and visitors, that the right decision is to suspend the Congress as scheduled.

It has been proposed that the AIMS Organising Committee (AOC) of the Batumi World Congress should determine, as soon as possible, whether the Congress be cancelled completely, or postponed to a later date. The AIMS Board have decided that a formal decision on a rescheduled date and location will be taken in the next three months (March to May).

AIMS President Paco Borao comments: “The AIMS Board have taken the step of cancelling the 23^rd World Congress of AIMS scheduled to take place in April in Batumi, Georgia. While this decision was difficult to reach, our first priority must be the health and well-being of our Members and visitors to the Congress.

We will continue discussions regarding re-scheduling the Congress for a later date.”

Peter McLean
Director of Public Relations
Association of International Marathons & Distance Races