Mayor Bloomberg says NYC Marathon canceled
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York City Marathon was canceled Friday by
Mayor Michael Bloomberg after mounting criticism that this was not the
time for a race while the region is still recovering from Superstorm
Sandy.
With people in storm-ravaged areas still shivering without
electricity and the death toll in New York City at more than 40, many
New Yorkers recoiled at the prospect of police officers being assigned
to protect a marathon on Sunday.
An estimated 40,000 runners from around the world had been expected
to take part in the 26.2-mile event. The race had been scheduled to
start in Staten Island, one of the hardest-hit areas by this week’s
storm.
‘‘We would not want a cloud to hang over the race or its
participants, and so we have decided to cancel it,’’ the mayor said in a
statement. ‘‘We cannot allow a controversy over an athletic event —
even one as meaningful as this — to distract attention away from all the
critically important work that is being done to recover from the storm
and get our city back on track.’’
Bloomberg called the marathon an ‘‘integral part of New York City’s
life for 40 years’’ and ‘‘an event tens of thousands of New Yorkers
participate in and millions more watch.’’
He still insisted that holding the race would not require diverting
resources from the recovery effort, but understood the level of
friction.
‘‘It is clear it that it has become the source of controversy and
division,’’ Bloomberg said. ‘‘The marathon has always brought our city
together and inspired us with stories of courage and determination.
No comments:
Post a Comment