Earlier this month, a derailed train resulted in a massive vinyl chloride spill and led to significant evacuations and health concerns in the area. But even though the Ohio High School Athletic Association ruled that it’s safe for games and athletic events to continue in the community, parents from one visiting basketball team are refusing to travel to the region.
The Bristol High School girl’s basketball team was slated to take on East Palestine in a sectional tournament basketball tournament this week. But Bristil will forfeit the game as they do not have enough players to field a team after parents of multiple Bristol players determined that the situation is unsafe, according to WDTN.
Bristol requested that the game be moved to a neutral site, but the OHSAA ruled that the game would be played as scheduled.
“Local, state and federal officials have determined that East Palestine High School can safely open and host extracurricular activities. Therefore, the girls’ basketball game vs. Bristol High School will remain at East Palestine as scheduled,” the OHSAA said in a statement, according to WDTN.
While officials have determined that it is safe to play Thursday night’s game, some parents of Bristol players did not trust that decision.
“It’s the EPA, number one,” said parent Tina Novicki, who has a daughter on Bristol’s team. “I don’t trust the EPA. But number two, we’re hearing more and more stories from people living down there. People are getting sick. They’re having symptoms. Animals are dying. To me, that’s not safe.”
East Palestine declined to play at a neutral site because the team earned home-court advantage in the game and sees no reason why they should give it up when the situation has been deemed safe.
[WDTN]
