The Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management, Bukola Olapade, put out this statement. Bukola Olapade asserted that the postponement became necessary as a result of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
He, however, maintained that the decision to reduce the total number of athletes to participate in this year’s edition from 100,000 runners to 300 remain sacrosanct. This, according to him was in compliance with COVID-19 safety protocol.
He said the 300 tickets would be distributed to athletes from the country and those coming from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, United Kingdom, USA, and other countries.
“We are not going to increase the number from 300 runners even though a lot of foreign athletes want to use the silver label Access Bank Lagos City marathon to cement their qualification for the Tokyo Olympics,” he said.
“As we speak, this Lagos city marathon has been listed by World Athletics as qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics. Even the April 10 date is already on their website.
“The 2021 Lagos City Marathon would be exclusive for the 42km race. The 10km race and the wheelchair race won’t be part of this year’s edition. The health of the athletes and everyone, who will attend the event, is very important to us. The absence of the 10km race won’t take away the glamour of the event.”
