The U.S. Speedskating Long Track National Championships have been put on hold after a COVID-19 outbreak was detected among athletes.
The event, scheduled for Friday through Sunday at the Utah Olympic Oval, would have been just the second competition for American long track athletes this season.
The Oval was originally scheduled to host the third stop in the World Cup series this weekend. However, the International Skating Union canceled all 2020 World Cup races because of the virus and limits on international travel.
The national championships, typically held later in December, were then moved into that slot to allow athletes time to prepare for a pair of World Cup races tentatively scheduled for January in the Netherlands.
Athletes competing at nationals were required to arrive in Kearns no later than Sunday and submit to concurrent coronavirus tests Monday and Tuesday. USS officials learned of the positive tests Thursday morning and subsequently postponed the competition. A new date has not been set.
