The 2020 Manitoba Summer Games Powered by Manitoba Hydro that was set to take place in Dauphin this summer will no longer.
After an initial postponement, Sport Manitoba alongside the Host Committee has decided to cancel the event that welcomes the top young athletes in the province competing in a number of sports.
Cathy Cox is the Minister of Sport, Culture, and Heritage and she had this to say on the cancellation.
"While we are all disappointed that the games will not happen as we hoped, we know this is the right decision and I support the hard work of the host committee and all the volunteers who tried to make it happen," she said. "My thoughts are with the athletes who trained so hard to qualify and participate in the games. Ultimately, we know that we have to take the time to allow things to gradually return to normal and our primary concern has to be the safety of all Manitobans."
Carla Wolfenden is a Co-Chair alongside Clayton Swanton and just as Cox said, it was a mandatory decision.
"We just didn't see a possible way to host this size of an event this summer," said Wolfenden. "It's sad news, but it's what had to happen."
Dauphin will still get a chance to host the event as Sport Manitoba has named Dauphin the host of the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games Powered by Manitoba Hydro. That means the best young athletes in the region and province will still compete in a number of sports, the wait will just continue for a few more years.
"The 2024 event is going to be extra exciting for everyone involved," ended Wolfenden. "We have been at this since 2016 so we're going to be extra prepared for 2024. It gives us a chance to tweak our facilities to assure the best possible experience for everyone. I think it's going to go fast."
