The 74th Alfred Nikodem Memorial will go ahead on 26 December 2020!

New government measures came into force today, 18 December 2020. Among other things, our clubhouse has closed again and sporting events such as our Christmas swim are generally prohibited. The good news, however, is that the National Sports Agency supported our event and the Czech Ministry of Health subsequently granted an exemption allowing it to take place.

In answer to the many enquiries, we can therefore confirm that the 74th Alfred Nikodem Memorial will indeed go ahead. Under the binding hygiene and public-health conditions, the following rules apply:

Every participant will have a contactless temperature check. Anyone above 37.5°C may enter only with permission from the organiser’s appointed doctor; a restrictive approach will be taken.

Everyone must complete a self-reporting form confirming the absence of clinical signs of infectious disease.
On entering the venue, every participant must take an antigen test for SARS-CoV-2. A positive result ends their participation.
The antigen test carries no additional cost to participants, who pay the usual entry fee only after a negative result.
The organiser’s test is not required for anyone presenting a negative RT-PCR or antigen result no more than 48 hours old. It is also not required for someone with documented past COVID-19, no current clinical symptoms, and completed isolation following a positive RT-PCR result under the Ministry’s applicable measures, provided no more than ninety days have passed since the first positive RT-PCR result. Written evidence is required.
From entry to Slovanský Island, participants must wear a face mask or respirator throughout their stay, except while swimming.
Spectators may not enter Slovanský Island. The organiser will prevent spectator gatherings on the neighbouring embankment, bridge and island, while allowing people to pass through.

The organiser also announces:

The usual timetable will change to meet these conditions. At present, antigen testing is scheduled to begin at 08:30 and continue throughout arrivals. A provisional detailed timetable will be drawn up after entries close and published on 22 December 2020. Individual arrival slots will also be published to avoid unnecessary crowding.
Registration will likewise run continuously, probably throughout at least the morning, depending on entry numbers. It will be in Žofín Palace as usual, with no more than five people registering inside at once. Each club must be registered by a single representative.
Two large 6 × 12-metre tents in the open area of Slovanský Island will provide changing facilities. Each may hold no more than twenty to twenty-five people at once, keeping two metres apart. Allow up to ten minutes to change before swimming and fifteen minutes afterwards.
The 227-square-metre Knights’ Hall in Žofín Palace will be a reserve changing area, primarily for older swimmers, for no more than fifty people at once. Keep two metres apart and change within ten minutes before swimming or fifteen minutes afterwards.
A 3 × 6-metre tent will be used to mark race numbers on swimmers in the only timed competitive event, the 750 metres. Approach the person marking numbers individually.
Food will be a packaged baguette, possibly with fruit and a cereal bar.
Organisers will serve tea outdoors in disposable plastic cups from urns in a 3 × 6-metre service tent. There will be no self-service. Approach individually and keep two metres apart.
Toilets are in Žofín Palace; stay inside only as long as necessary.
For the ninth time, there will be a team competition based on each club’s three best-placed swimmers. Deputy Mayor Petr Burgr will present the Prague 1 Cup in person.
The awards ceremony will take place without an audience in Žofín Palace’s 255-square-metre Small Hall.

Getting the arrangements this far has not been easy, and much practical work still lies ahead. We believe that, with everyone’s cooperation, this year’s event can be a success. Any updates will appear here on the organising club’s website. We look forward to seeing you!

» Updated programme, including items subject to COVID-19 changes (18 December 2020, in Czech)