Eurovision 2021: Jon Ola Sand states optimistic about next year's edition

Friday, 15 May 2020

• After this year's heartbreaking cancellation of the Eurovision Song contest 2020, all eyes now fall on the next year's contest with EBU's Executive supervisor of the contest, Jon Ola Sand, feeling optimistic for the 2021 edition despite the coronavirus pandemic.

  On March 18th the EBU had no option but to cancel this year's Eurovision Song Contest due to the corovirus pandemic. Just as all the fans were adjusting to this year's unusual circumstances with all the alternative Eurovision shows being aired across Europe And Australia,  the Dutch goverment came to rule out any thoughts of large scale events if no vaccine is found. 

  On the other hand, scientists from many nations are in full steam in search for an effective vaccine. While a group of experts claim that an effective vaccine can be ready within the next six months, the majority of health experts put it down on more realistic bases and estimate up to 18 months the time needed for an effective vaccine to be developed

  Nevertheless, Jon Ola Sand expresses his optimism that next year;s show will take place. In an interview to NRK, the Norwegian public broadcaster, the Executive Supervisor said that the EBU is already working to make Eurovision happen in 2021.

  Jon Ola Sand said that EBU is aware of the restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Some of these restrictions may still be active next year. Therefore, the preparations will take place by taking into account those restrictions. According to him , EBU is now “more prepared” to carry out with the competition than it was this year when the covid-19 pandemic escalated rapidly. 

  Jon Ola Sand has been the EBU's Executive Supervisor of the contest since 2011. Rotterdam would have been his last edition as now he will return to work for the Norwegian broadcaster. He will be replaced by Swedish Martin Österdahl, from SVT.

  Source: Eurovisionary - NRK