Mallorca bad weather alerts could halt sport and races
Mallorca, Balearic Islands: Bad weather could stop a football training session or a sailing race under a new safety plan for sport. The Balearic Islands Government activated the protocol for sports clubs and federations on Monday, 26 October, and presented it in Palma de Mallorca. It sets out when training and competitions can change or stop, and when athletes may need to be evacuated.
What an alert means for sport
During orange or red weather alerts, the plan weighs more than the sport itself. It looks at where and when an activity takes place, how long it lasts, the number and age of participants, evacuation routes and whether communications work. The weather risks it covers include storms, heavy rain, snow, wind, extreme temperatures and coastal conditions.
Depending on the event, the lead referee, organiser, venue manager, relevant regional sports federation or the Balearic Islands Government’s Directorate-General for Sport can decide to cancel it. Championships can also be moved to another date.
Why the sport makes a difference
The plan places sailing races, open-water swimming, triathlon, sea kayaking and mountain activities among the most vulnerable sports. They can take place at temporary sites where evacuation is difficult. Road cycling and marathons are also classed as highly vulnerable, while outdoor sports at permanent grounds, including football and tennis, are rated moderately vulnerable. Indoor sports carry the lowest risk in the plan.
If an activity involving children stops, its organiser must supervise them in a safe place until they are collected. Sport can resume when the weather ends or eases. It can also restart once checks confirm that the facilities are safe, access and evacuation routes are usable, and communications work.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com