Genoa to host the 2020 European Championships

Genoa, Italy is set to host the 2020 European Para Dance Championships from 17-21 December. 

The announcement was made on Wednesday (5 August) by World Para Dance Sport and the Genova Wheelchair Dance Sport 2020 – the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the two organisations have agreed to monitor the situation about the coronavirus outbreak in Italy and in Europe, and to set up a deadline to cancel the competition if necessary.

A letter of intent will be sent out to the teams and must be submitted by those who intend to compete no later than 15 September. 

Entries by name and accommodation deadlines are set to 30 October, the same date World Para Dance Sport and the LOC will confirm if the event is going ahead.

In case the European Championships is cancelled, all costs paid by the teams to the LOC until 30 October will be reimbursed.

World Para Dance Sport Manager, Camila Rodrigues said: “We are delighted to announce the European Championships in Genoa following an amazing World Championships in Bonn last year. Italy is a country passionate about dance sport and, with an experienced LOC, we are sure our athletes will have all they need to produce fantastic performances and entertain the fans. 

“This has been a difficult year for our sport community with many events postponed and cancelled, and for this reason we have agreed with the LOC to set up a deadline and minimise the impact of the participant nations in case the COVID-19 pandemic forces us to cancel the event.”

In a statement, the LOC said: “Genova Wheelchair Dance Sport 2020 is pleased to invite you to the Genoa 2020 World Para Dance Sport European Championships, which will take place in December with the support of the World Para Dance Sport – whom we thank for the trust they place in us. Our team, hotels, sports facilities and the Liguria Region are looking forward to your arrival and enthusiasm.”

It will be the first time Italy hosts the European Championships. The Italian capital Rome hosted the World Championships in 2015. 

The last edition of the Euros took place in Lomianki, Poland with 150 dancers from 20 countries.