On 1 June, it was announced that the championships would go ahead in the second week of October 2021.[4]
Belarus hosting controversy
In March 2021 the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation urged the European Cycling Union to relocate the event from Belarus on human rights grounds. The ECU replied that it was unable to find another suitable host.[5] Earlier in the year, similar controversy regarding the proposed location of the 2021 IIHF World Championship in Belarus lead to it being moved from the country.
In May 2021 the National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark proposed to move the European Track Cycling Championship to Denmark due to safety issues and attitude towards COVID-19 in Belarus.[6] Denmark is ready to consider the possibility of compensation for all losses of the European Cycling Union associated with the change of the venue.
On 25 May 2021 the German Cycling Federation informed the European Cycling Association that after the events with the forced grounding of Ryanair Flight 4978, it was not possible for the German team to come to Minsk under these circumstances.[7] On 25 May the national track team of Netherlands also refused to go to Minsk.[8] On 26 May the national track team of Lithuania announced about withdrawal from championships if it's going to be held in Minsk and proposed to move championships to Panevėžys in Lithuania.[9]
