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B.C. Winter Games slated for next month in Vernon cancelled amid COVID-19 crush

VERNON, B.C. – The B.C. Winter Games next month in Vernon have been cancelled due to the rise of COVID-19 cases in British Columbia.

Some 1,800 athletes, coaches and officials were expected to participate in the multi-sport Games, Feb. 24-27.

"I recognize how devastating this news is for the athletes, coaches, volunteers, and host region of Greater Vernon who have been working tirelessly to prepare for these Games," B.C.'s sport and tourism minister Melanie Mark said in a statement. "These are not easy decisions to make. I sincerely hope that the dreams of these athletes to compete at this stage can be safely realized in the near future."

More than 2,000 volunteers were also expected to take part.

The Winter Games are held every two years, the most recent ones in Fort St. John in 2020. The 2020 Summer Games in Maple Ridge, B.C., were cancelled. Maple Ridge has been awarded the 2024 Summer Games.

The 2022 Summer Games are slated for Prince George.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 15, 2022.

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Carli Berry

Carli Berry has been telling stories in the Okanagan for the past three years and after finding her footing in the newspaper industry, joined the Infonews team in January 2020. Recipient of the 2019 MA Murray award for feature writing, Carli is passionate about stories that involve housing, business and the environment. Born on Vancouver Island, she is happy to say Okanagan Lake reminds, her slightly, of the ocean. Carli can be reached at (250) 864-7494 or email cberry@infonews.ca.