OTTAWA — Swimming Canada said Thursday it won't send a team to compete at this summer's World University Games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Games are slated to be held in Chengdu, China, from June 26-July 7.
"The ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact events around the world," John Atkinson, Swimming Canada's high performance director and national coach, said in a statement. "Having considered the health and safety issues, and the requirements to attend this Games, we feel there is no alternative but to withdraw.
"We have made our position known to U Sports and now Swimming Canada will focus on the junior and senior team activities scheduled for later in the year, including the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships and Commonwealth Games.”
Swimming Canada also noted this week’s official confirmation from FINA regarding the postponement of the 2022 FINA World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, to July 2023.
"It is good to know for certain that the event is now scheduled for 2023," Atkinson said. "As we consider what that means for our Trials and selection policies, we are reviewing all possible scenarios.
"As we have more detail we will be making decisions and communicating them in due course."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 3, 2022.
The Canadian Press
