The Arctic Winter Games International Committee will postpone the 2022 games in Wood Buffalo, Alberta, Canada.
According to a Wednesday, March 3, 3021, news release, the committee, the host society, Wood Buffalo municipality and the government of Alberta made the decision out of concern for the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The health and safety of our circumpolar participants, coaches and volunteers is of paramount concern," International Committee President John Flynn said in the news release. "Although it is a great disappointment that we must postpone the 2022 Arctic Winter Games, we are steadfast in our decision.”
New dates for the 2022 games have not been set.
The Arctic Winter Games are scheduled every two years. The multi-sport event and Indigenous cultural celebration incorporates communities and participants from around the Circumpolar North.
The 2020 games in Whitehorse were canceled because of coronavirus.
The release did not state how a potential rescheduling of the 2022 games would affect the 2024 games, which are scheduled to be in Alaska.
