Cycling: World track championships to be moved

International cycling bosses have decided to move this summer’s World Track Championships out of China because of the “impact of the SARS virus”, according to Cycling Australia.

The switching of venues for the event, which was due to be staged from July 30 to August 3 in Shenzhen in the southern part of the country, seemed inevitable after the Australians announced on Monday they would not send to a team to the Far East because of concerns about SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

“Cycling Australia has welcomed a decision by the International Cycling Union (UCI) to move the 2003 Track Cycling World Championships from China......the impact of the SARS outbreak has prompted a change of venue.” a statement said.

France, Spain, Germany and Holland have also expressed hopes that the event would be moved.