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The plan was to organize the Swedish rally in Värmland, Dalarna and Norway from February 11 to 14, 2021. But the crown pandemic and the ban on public gatherings of up to eight people have caused major problems for the organization.
The deadline for a decision was first set for November 30, but information from the authorities, especially the Värmland County Board of Directors, has been delayed.
On Tuesday, a message finally arrived.
Result: the rally is canceled.
Reject the request
This is because the Värmland county administrative council has announced that they are forced to reject the application for a competition permit.
“Without a permit for the competition, it is formally quite a simple decision to make and I fully understand that this is the only right thing in the situation we find ourselves in. Our dialogue with the Värmland County Administrative Board, Police and control The Värmland Region Infection Officer has been extremely professional and I really appreciate his attempt to try to find constructive solutions based on current regulations and the current infection situation, ”says Glenn Olsson, CEO of Rally Sweden.
The expert: “It hurts in the heart”
SVT Sports rally expert Jonas Kruse regrets the decision.
– There are many losers in this from the local sports association, the business community and of course the organizer. At the same time as the prevailing situation both here in Värmland and in Sweden with the spread of the infection, it was quite expected. But it hurts at the heart of the rally, he says.
The FIA and the WRC promoter negotiate with other organizers to find solutions to replace the Swedish competition.
The decision also means that the Swedish rally may have been last contested in Värmland. Starting in 2022, alternative competition venues will be investigated in Sweden and a decision on this issue is expected in 2021.
