COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--Questions about allowing visitors into athletic events into the 2020 Arnold Sports festival were put to rest Thursday by the organizers of the event.
Daniel Ketchell, Chief of Staff for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, says the organization will not fight an order from the Ohio Department of Health to not allow spectators to the athletic events associated with the festival this weekend.
Many events are still on, but the Fitness Expo, which acts as a trade show for the fitness industry, was already canceled, over ears of the spread of coronavirus.
Questions were raised when Ketchell held a press conference on Wednesday, where he invited fans to the events. A message on "The Arnold" website also said fans would be allowed to attend.
But a statement late Wedneday from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther says they will use the means allowed by state law to keep their order in place to not allow spectators.
For now, the only events where visitors will be allowed are the special-ticketed events set for Friday and Saturday at Batelle Hall.
Ketchell says The Arnold was singled out, since thousands of people attended the Cleveland Cavaliers game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse last night.
In a typical year, "The Arnold" draws 20,000 athletes and over 200,000 visitors.