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As the Olympics are postponed to 2021, this year’s Eurovision has been scrapped entirely.

Eurovision 2020 is another causality of the Coronavirus pandemic. The event which was due to take place in the Dutch city of Rotterdam in May has been cancelled due to coronavirus dears as the pandemic sweeps Europe.

The singing contest will be cancelled entirely rather than being rescheduled as other events such as the Olympics have.

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Eurovision’s cancellation is the first in its six-decade history

The European Broadcasting Union explained that it had explored alternatives, such as postponing the 2020 contest or running it without an audience, but ultimately scrapping the event entirely was decided to be the most effective. 

“The uncertainty created by the spread of COVID-19 throughout Europe — and the restrictions put in place by the governments of the participating broadcasters and the Dutch authorities — means the EBU has taken the difficult decision to not continue with the live event as planned,” it announced.

Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor issued a statement saying “the Eurovision Song Contest will come back stronger than ever” and indicated that the EBU wished for Rotterdam to play host in 2021.

“We are very proud of the Eurovision Song Contest that for 64 years has united people all around Europe. And we are deeply disappointed about this situation. The EBU, together with the Host Broadcaster and the City of Rotterdam will continue to talk to see if it’s possible to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam in 2021.”

Eurovision has a large LGBT following and gay men, in particular, have been known for organising viewing parties of the yearly spectacle.

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