As everything in the world continues to be crazy, it comes as no surprise that the 2020 New York Pro would be affected. However rather than cancel, they have opted to change locations.
The New York Pro is slated to go down this fall, as one of the first big bodybuilding shows to return. This show traditionally takes place in New York (hence the name). However there was concern that this may not happen, as this is one of the states hit hardest by the global health crisis.
It would seem that some preventive measures are being made to allow for the best experience from the 2020 New York Pro as possible. According to a recent Instagram post, the event will no longer be taking place in New York. Instead the contest, which goes down September 5th, will be taking place in Tampa, Florida.
“NY PRO UPDATE!!! We aren’t going to let COVID-19 stop the legendary NY PRO, so we’re taking the show south to Tampa, Florida on September 5”
Obviously this is an unprecedented move from the event organizers. That being said, it seems like the right move in order to keep the show going on. Tampa was the setting for the first major contest to take place since things shut down, and they seemingly went off without much issue. More information was provided by a further post from the IFBB official page, explaining what fans can expect from the 2020 New York Pro, outside of it’s new location.
“The 2020 IFBB New York Pro will now take place in Tampa, Florida on the same date, Saturday, September 5. Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions in New York and New Jersey, promoter Steve Weinberger in conjunction with the IFBB Professional League, felt this contest was TOO IMPORTANT not to happen! Many options were explored to keep this contest in the Northeast but it just was not feasible. After the success of the 2020 IFBB Tampa Pro the option to move south for 2020 was explored and deemed the best solution available!
For those of you down south that have always wanted to see the IFBB New York Pro in person, now is your chance! The venue will have limited seating following Florida CDC Covid-19 protocols for the venue. Due to this limited seating there will be No Plus 1 tickets for the competitors.
IFBB Professional League athletes now is your chance to compete in one of the most prestigious contests in the sport and punch your ticket to the 2020 IFBB Professional League Olympia this December by winning! Place winners will earn more OQS Points!”
It will be exciting to see the 2020 New York Pro go down this September, even if it is a little more south than usual. This honestly seemed like the right decision, given the situation, and it will be good to have a consistent schedule of competition for people to qualify for this year’s Olympia.
