Connecticut will postpone the start of winter high school sports, including boys swimming & diving, to January 19 as COVID-19 cases rise in the state.
The novel 2019 coronavirus is surging across the United States, forcing changes to youth sports in multiple states. Connecticut is the latest to adjust its high school sports seasons. The CIAC (Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference) voted to delay the start of winter sports to January 19, 2021.
Many winter sports, including boys swimming & diving, were scheduled to start on December 5, per GameTimeCT. But as coronavirus cases continue to rise in the state, the CIAC will delay that date by more than a month.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has limited private gatherings to 10 people or less and required the state’s restaurants to close by 10 PM, according to The Hartford Courant.
The state’s coronavirus numbers show a dramatic rise this fall, from about 5700 new cases over the last week of October to more than 12,000 new cases last week.
Connecticut isn’t the only state adjusting high school sports as coronavirus cases rise. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz ordered a four-week pause in all youth sports, which will delay the start of winter high school sports. Minnesota also holds its boys swimming & diving season in the winter. That season will start no earlier than December 18, with the state expected to release some more specific information soon.
The governor shut down all youth sports teams and clubs for at least 2 months. The state has not shared guidelines on what sports-related activities can continue (if any). Allegedly dance studios, gymnastics, martial arts dojos, and the like are exempt and will be able to continue under existing sector rules.
Connecticut decided to scapegoat all youth sports for the surge in cases without regard for actual risk. There were some outbreaks associated almost entirely with team sports traveling out of state for tournaments – hockey was notable for having issues. So I guess they decided that all sports will have to suffer for the sins of a few bad actors.
Our swimmer is very upset at the… Read more »
Jared – can you please clarify? Does this mean swim teams too? Specifically -There are a few NY and even NJ teams renting basically full time at CT pools – is that also disallowed under Governor Lamont’s new rules? What’s to stop an out of state team from just renting lap lanes?
As we understand it here in CT, it’s all youth sports/club teams. It’s a little fuzzy, though, and I believe CT Swimming is looking for more details. I can’t imagine a facility allowing any team from out of state to continue renting, given the governor’s mandate.
Goodbye season
This applies to all club and team sports. Everything is shut down.
I thought that was just “team sports”. Does that include club swimming? I am in shock.
Our kids apparently have to pay the price for the ice hockey teams’ outbreaks.
Just to clarify, Lamont has shut down ALL YOUTH SPORT ACTIVITIES until Jan. 19, 2021. Everything.
pain.
does this include usaswimming teams or just high school teams
All youth sports teams are shut down completely from Monday November 23rd until January 19th.
The moratorium only excludes college and pro sports.
Our team just canceled Monday practice and said they are expecting further instruction on Monday to get detail from the Governor. Sounds like it’s not 100% resolved.
Our daughter’s team just cancelled all practices until January 19th. I’m so disgusted with the state of Connecticut right now.