Another international sporting event, one scheduled to take place in B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Northern Interior, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Health minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.B次元官网网址檚 provincial health officer, announced early Thursday afternoon the 2020 World WomenB次元官网网址檚 Curling Championship, slated to run March 16-24 in Prince George, be postponed indefinitely.

B次元官网网址淕iven the changing global circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak, in World Health OrganizationB次元官网网址檚 COVID-19 pandemic declaration and the increasing risks of community spread at large public gatherings, we are announcing today that we have recommended to the World Curling Federation that it postpone the 2020 World WomenB次元官网网址檚 Curling Championship in Prince George,B次元官网网址� Dix and Henry said in a joint statement.

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Teams slated to participate at the World WomenB次元官网网址檚 Curling Championship include: Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Russia, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.S.

B次元官网网址淲e made this decision after careful deliberation with local public health officials and the event organizers. We understand what the championship means to the athletes who have trained hard to compete, but the health of British Columbians is our first priority.

B次元官网网址淲e will continue to actively monitor COVID-19 and focus our efforts on containment in B.C.B次元官网网址�

With the event now not taking place the World Curling Federation said it will consider the implications on Olympic qualification and discuss potential changes that will need to be considered with all the relevant stakeholders.

World Curling Federation President, Kate Caithness, said itB次元官网网址檚 an extremely disappointing situation.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 with regret weB次元官网网址檙e announcing it is no longer possible to run this world championship,B次元官网网址� Caithness said. B次元官网网址淗owever, the safety of our athletes, officials, staff and supporters is paramount which we cannot guarantee with the fast-evolving nature of this worldwide situation.B次元官网网址�

The announcement comes just a day after the NBA announced it was suspending its season due to a player testing positive for COVID-19, and the NHL announcing Thursday morning it will put a halt on its 2019/20 season until further notice.

sports@wltribune.com
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