JOINT STATEMENT OF THE USA MASTERS GAMES AND LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE FOR THE 2020 USAMG IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
On behalf of the USA Masters Games, and our Grand Rapids Host Organization, the State Games of Michigan, we want to emphasize that our number one priority is the health and well-being of all participants in the USA Masters Games. With that objective in mind, and given the great uncertainty and concern surrounding the current worldwide coronavirus pandemic, it has been determined that it is in the best interests of the safety of Games athletes if we postpone the Games for one year.
As a result, the Games will now be held on the new dates of Thursday, June 24, through Sunday, June 27, 2021, in Grand Rapids. As one can imagine, rescheduling is a major undertaking, and we will collaborate closely with our great event partners as we transition to these new dates. Throughout this process we remain committed to bringing our participants the biggest and best USA Masters Games ever.
Our optimism that the Games might still be able to be held this year, has been tempered by the reality of the inability of Masters athletes to train due to shelter in place requirements or closed venues. Combined with the major challenges of travel, both domestic and international, these factors weighed heavily on our decision to postpone.
We understand that many of those athletes who have registered, or who were considering registering for the USA Masters Games, will have questions, and our intent is to provide the answers as soon as possible. However, we ask for patience as we work through the large number of details while our LOC staff is having to work remotely under state and local government lockdown restrictions.
For all 2020 USA Masters Games registered athletes, we will contact you about your registration. Athletes currently registered for the Games will be eligible for one of three options:
1. OPTION 1: Transfer their registration to the postponed dates in June 2021 in Grand Rapids, MI
2. OPTION 2: Donate their registration fees to the USA Masters Games
3. OPTION 3: Receive a refund via the original payment method
Athletes that have booked their hotel through the 2020 Games registration system (i.e. RoomRoster) will be contacted and allowed to cancel the reservation without penalty.
Further updates will be posted as they become available. We thank you all for your support of the USA Masters Games and hope everyone is staying safe, staying healthy and finding ways to be active during this time.