Source: Press release from the International Orienteering Federation 29 May 2020

The International Orienteering Federation (IOF) together with the local organising committee of the Orienteering World Cup, Verein Swiss Cup, are pleased to announce that the World Cup round which was scheduled to be held in Neuchâtel, Switzerland from May 13 to 16, 2021 will also be the European Orienteering Championships 2021.

The rescheduling of the championships became necessary when Russia had to withdraw as the organisers of the European Orienteering Championships in 2021, due to follow-on economic effects of the Corona virus (Covid-19) pandemic. The IOF approached the organisers in Switzerland with the request to modify the program of the planned Orienteering World Cup round to also include the European Orienteering Championships. The organising committee answered positively to that request.

Tom Hollowell IOF Secretary General/CEO, says:  “We feel that this is a very good solution for the first ever orienteering championships with focus only on sprint disciplines.”

“We know that the Swiss organisers are very experienced and appreciate their positive attitude in making this possible. Following the cancellation of all major international events in 2020 this will be an excellent start to the 2021 season.”

At the European Orienteering Championships in Switzerland the world’s best athletes will compete in a sprint, a sprint relay, and a knock-out sprint. The competitions will all be held in the city of Neuchâtel and also count as the first round of competitions for the overall Orienteering World Cup title in 2021. The long-distance competition initially planned for this World Cup round is cancelled.