Let’s have a look at how will be the 2021 European and World Archery year, after many postponements and also some cancellations due to Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown period.
Of course, it is hoped that all events scheduled in 2021 will take place as normal. However, given the current public health situation, the status of the calendar will be constantly reviewed. Any measures required to safeguard the well-being of athletes and coaches will be implemented.
First of all, next year’s Hyundai Archery World Cup season will see elite international athletes compete in only three stages from April to June, because seasons that run in the same year as an Olympic Games are traditionally shortened from four to three stages.
A final (host to be announced) is provisionally scheduled for the Autumn.
Stage 1: Guatemala City, Guatemala – 19-25 April
Stage 2: Shanghai, China – 17-23 May
Stage 3: Paris, France – 22-27 June
Final: to be confirmed – September-October
The Final Qualification Tournament for Tokyo was initially scheduled to be held in Berlin in June 2020. However, following the one-year delay of the Games, it has been replaced by Paris and it will be held as a standalone event, immediately before the World Cup stage, on 18-21 June.
Two World Championships have been scheduled for 2021: the Outdoor Target Championships in Yankton (USA, 19-26 September) and the Youth Championships in Perth (AUS, 11-17 October).
The World Archery 3D Championships have already been delayed to 2022.
Dates for the next World Archery Para Championships, which are due to take place in Dubai, have not yet been confirmed.
The 2021 calendar is the first to be constructed using the concept of international blocks.
During the main outdoor season, all international events have been placed in the second half of a month. This leaves the first half free for continental events.
The intention of World Archery is to develop and standardise this approach, releasing blocked calendars up to four years in advance. This should enable better planning at the continental and national level, greater calendar consistency for international competition and clarity for event bidders.
EUROPEAN SEASON
European archery year will start already on February, 22-27, with the Indoor Championships in Koper (SLO).
The outdoor season will start instead with two stages of Grand Prix: Porec (CRO), on March 16-21, and Antalya (TUR), on April 16-21.
Last Continental Quota Tournament for Paralympic spots will be hosted in Olbia (ITA) from 30 April to 9 May during the European Para-Archery Championships.
Youth Cup will see two stages: in Catez (SLO) on May 17-22 and Bucharest (ROU) on August 2-7.
Antalya (TUR) will host, after the World Archery Europe Elective Congress, the Outdoor Championships and last Continental Quota Tournament for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, from 31 May to 6 June.
Para-Archery European Cup will be in Nove Mesto nad Metuji (CZE) on July 5-11, together with the Paralympic Final Quota Tournament.
September will have two consecutive events: from the 3D Championships, in Maribor (SLO) on September 1-4, we will jump to Zagreb (CRO) for the Field Championships, September 5-12.
Run-ArcheryEuropean Cup will close a very long and strong year again in Nove Mesto nad Metuji (CZE) on October 9-10.
Of course, we are trying to do our best, together with Organizing Committees, to cover all events and don’t miss any single arrow.