The Saskatchewan Summer Games won’t be happening this year.

On Tuesday, the Saskatchewan Games Council along with the city of Lloydminster announced that the event which was to go July 26-August 1 is being postponed because of COVID19.

The event will now be held July 18-24, 2021 and will feature competition from young athletes in 15 summer sports. All sports that were originally included on the sport calendar in 2020 are committed to participate in 2021.

“From athletes to spectators, health and safety are of the utmost importance.” Chairperson Kevin Kusch said. “The decision to postpone was not easy, but it is right. Now that a decision has been made, the athletes, coaches and support staff can focus on their well-being during this critical time while resetting and recalibrating for 2021. As a Host Society, we are excited to continue our efforts in 2021 to ensure the Games’ success.”

The Saskatchewan Games are one of the largest amateur sporting events in Saskatchewan, seeing participation from over 2,000 athletes, coaches and officials from every corner of the province. The biennial Games, which alternate between summer and winter, provide an opportunity for the province’s developing athletes, coaches and officials to experience an exciting multi-sport event in preparation for higher levels of competition, including the Canada Games, Western Canada Summer Games, North American Indigenous Games, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.