Illustration: Shutterstock The decision was made definite last night, says organisation committee chair Thomas Vogelaar. A majority voted in favour of cancelling the event (10 October) feeling the risks were too high to allow the race to continue as planned. At that time, the security regions had not yet taken a definitive position on the event and were expected to do so only after the weekend.
Moral aspect
‘It was morally and financially unjustifiable’, says Vogelaar. The moral aspect weighed in heavily. ‘Is it really okay to organise an event such as this when the government calls on us to limit travel and social contacts as much as possible? And what if it goes wrong? How would that reflect upon the Veluweloop? I don’t think it’s a good idea to go to great lengths to organise the event.’
It is very bitter, but this is force majeure
Thomas Vogelaar, chair of the Veluweloop organisational committee
Moreover, Vogelaar states, there are many volunteers involved in the organisation. ‘Including people with a high-risk profile. Not just students. One cannot expect these volunteers to show up in these trying times.’ The registered teams will be refunded their fee in full, minus the administration fees. As expenses have already been incurred, the organisation requests a voluntary contribution.
Checklist
Since last Monday’s government press conference, the committee has been continuously attempting to save the situation. ‘We received a checklist of conditions we are required to meet no earlier than Thursday’, says Vogelaar. ‘If we were able to meet all these conditions, a petition could be made with the chair of the security region, who would then consider the request on Monday.’ They decided not to wait.
‘It is very bitter, but this is force majeure’. Vogelaar resigns himself to the situation. ‘It wasn’t much fun anymore anyway.’ The 39th Veluweloop has to wait another year. It is only the second time since the relay race was initiated that the event is cancelled. In 2016, a disappointing number of participants led to cancellation. In the years since, the event went through a revival, in part thanks to students participating in the organisation.
