World cycling body UCI said Wednesday that
the 2011 indoor cycling world championships will go ahead at southern Japan’s
Kagoshima, despite a nuclear disaster in the north-east of the country.

“The International Cycling Union wishes to confirm that the 2011 UCI indoor
cycling world championships, awarded to Kagoshima, in the south of the
country, will take place as scheduled from 4th to 6th November this year,”
said the UCI in a statement.

It said it made the decision after evaluating the situation, along with
Japanese authorities.

“Mr Hiroyuki Mori, mayor of Kagoshima and president of the organizing
committee, gave assurances that the current events have had no negative impact
on the region which, as a result, is ready to host the World Championships in
November,” said the UCI.

Kagoshima is situated about 1,150 kilometres (715 miles) south-west of
Fukushima, the site of a nuclear disaster after the Fukushima Daiichi plant
suffered serious damages during the recent deadly earthquake-tsunami.

“Nevertheless, the UCI will continue to monitor the situation and will take
action if necessary as the result of any new developments,” it added.