With large parts of New York City still underwater and without power, mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced that the New York City Marathon has been canceled.
At least 40 in New York City have been confirmed dead, and the city was under mounting criticism to cancel the event, with many arguing that although it could go on logistically, it was simply not the right time to hold it while the city is still recovering from a serious natural disaster. Until Friday Bloomberg had remained steadfast that the event go on, but that is no longer the case.
"We would not want a cloud to hang over the race or its participants,
and so we have decided to cancel it," Bloomberg 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."
After mounting criticism, Mayor Michael Bloomberg says NYC Marathon is canceled: apne.ws/SF3hSX #Superstorm #Sandy -CC
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 2, 2012
