Christchurch loses World Cup matches after quake
Source: Agencies |
March 17, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
EARTHQUAKE-DEVASTATED Christchurch will not host any matches at this year's World Cup after organizers decided the city would not be ready, the New Zealand government said yesterday.
The city's ability to host five pool matches and two quarterfinals was thrown into doubt when a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck on February 22, killing at least 166 people, levelling parts of the city and badly damaging Lancaster Park.
The quarterfinals will be moved to Eden Park in Auckland while the five other matches New Zealand's second city was scheduled to host in the September 9-October 23 tournament will be reallocated to other venues around the country.
"It is with sincere regret that the stakeholders have agreed today that all of the 2011 rugby World Cup games scheduled to be held in Christchurch will be moved," World Cup minister Murray McCully told a televised news conference.
"The government had a very strong wish for all of the scheduled matches, or failing that, most of the scheduled games to be held here in Christchurch. At the end of the day we were faced with the reality that the risks were unacceptable in relation to the largest sporting event ever hosted in this country, one that calls for certainty and for the elimination of risk."
International Rugby Board officials met with government ministers yesterday after receiving reports on the venue's suitability to host matches and the city's ability to provide accommodation and fix infrastructure.
Stadium managers VBase said they may have had enough time to fix Lancaster Park in time for the first match on September 10, but that would not have allowed for unforeseen delays, while resources would be tight as the city rebuilt its infrastructure.
McCully said that the city would not have been able to offer enough accommodation for visitors.
"The advice of experts and the stadium operators had been sought and every option explored, but in the end there had been no other option," said IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset.
The city's ability to host five pool matches and two quarterfinals was thrown into doubt when a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck on February 22, killing at least 166 people, levelling parts of the city and badly damaging Lancaster Park.
The quarterfinals will be moved to Eden Park in Auckland while the five other matches New Zealand's second city was scheduled to host in the September 9-October 23 tournament will be reallocated to other venues around the country.
"It is with sincere regret that the stakeholders have agreed today that all of the 2011 rugby World Cup games scheduled to be held in Christchurch will be moved," World Cup minister Murray McCully told a televised news conference.
"The government had a very strong wish for all of the scheduled matches, or failing that, most of the scheduled games to be held here in Christchurch. At the end of the day we were faced with the reality that the risks were unacceptable in relation to the largest sporting event ever hosted in this country, one that calls for certainty and for the elimination of risk."
International Rugby Board officials met with government ministers yesterday after receiving reports on the venue's suitability to host matches and the city's ability to provide accommodation and fix infrastructure.
Stadium managers VBase said they may have had enough time to fix Lancaster Park in time for the first match on September 10, but that would not have allowed for unforeseen delays, while resources would be tight as the city rebuilt its infrastructure.
McCully said that the city would not have been able to offer enough accommodation for visitors.
"The advice of experts and the stadium operators had been sought and every option explored, but in the end there had been no other option," said IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset.
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