Athletes across the country are going to have to wait until the summer of 2022 to vie in the Canada Summer Games originally slated to take place in August 2021.

On Wednesday, the Canada Games Council (CGC) and the 2021 Canada Games Host Society, in consultation with the Niagara Region, the Province of Ontario and the Federal Government decided to postpone next year’s Games.

The Canada Games, held every two years alternating between winter and summer, are a marquee event for amateur sport representing the highest level of competition for thousands of up-and-coming Canadian athletes.

More than 5,000 participants and 4,000 volunteers are expected to take part in Canada’s largest multi-sport event in the Niagara Region.

Given the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic the decision to postpone the Games was made with the health and safety of everyone involved in mind.

“All of our athletes, coaches and volunteers are top of mind for us in deciding to postpone the Games,” said Evan Johnston, Chair of the Canada Games Council Board. No doubt this decision will be disappointing for those who have been training and preparing for the 2021 Games, but we hope to find their understanding and support.”

Also in mind when deciding to postpone was the likelihood that COVID-19 would prevent organizers from delivering a “phenomenal” Games experience both in sports competition and cultural events.

“Postponing the Games certainly wasn’t an easy decision, nor one that we took lightly, but we felt it was the right choice to make,” said Doug Hamilton, Chair of the 2021 Canada Games Host Society. “In all likelihood, moving ahead with the Canada Summer Games in 2021 would have prevented us from hosting the Games’ sport competitions and cultural events in the way that they were originally envisioned.

“By delaying the Games to the summer of 2022, we hope to give Games participants a greater opportunity to maximize their experience, while also ensuring that Niagara can realize the full potential of hosting Canada’s largest multi-sport event.”

No decision has been made yet on the new dates for the Canada Summer Games in Niagara, but both the CGC and the Niagara Host Society are aiming for the rescheduled Games to take place during the summer of 2022. Both organizations will continue to monitor developments relating to the pandemic and to safeguard the health of all participants, staff and volunteers.