The Boat Race Canceled Due to Coronavirus Pandemic

The Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted yet another sport. The Boat Race scheduled for the 29th of March in London has been canceled. The event joins a long list of sporting activities in Europe that have been shelved due to the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. This decision was taken as the race is one of London’s traditional springtime events and draws large audiences.

Earlier, a statement on the race’s website indicated that the event would follow the advice shared by the Government and public health England.

Today ‘The Boat Race’ Company Limited Chairman Robert Gillespie put out a statement. The statement announced the cancellation of the Boat Race due to the unprecedented situation the country and each faces.

What is the Boat Race?

It is an annual event featuring a contest between the Oxford and Cambridge University boat clubs. The race first held in 1829 became an annual event in 1856, but 2020 will not be the first time the event has been canceled.

The race was canceled only 9 times in the 164 years since it became an annual event. All these cancelations were due to England’s involvement in both World Wars.

The 2020 edition of the event is the first time in it’s 191 year history that a scheduled race will be canceled for a reason other than a World War. The men’s event will not occur for the first time since 1940. The women’s event which began annually in 1964 will be canceled for the first time.

The 2019 Boat Race

The 2019 race was won by Cambridge. The men won their race by one length while the women dominated to come home 5 lengths ahead. Cambridge won both reserve races too.

Will the event be rescheduled?

The Boat Race stands canceled at present. However, the organizers have not mentioned anything about a possible rescheduling of the event later in the summer.