The Ostersund 2020 Para Biathlon World Championships, which was scheduled to start on Thursday (12 March) in Sweden, has been cancelled.
The Swedish Government announced on Wednesday evening that all events involving the participation of more than 500 persons will be cancelled in the country as a measure to control the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
The Ostersund 2020 Local Organising Committee, the National Paralympic Committee of Sweden and World Para Snow Sports regret the cancellation of the World Championships but support the decision to place the health and well-being of athletes, staff and all other participants – as well the general public – as the number one priority.
A total of 104 athletes from 14 nations were set to compete until Sunday at the Para Biathlon World Championships.
Following the announcement by the Swedish government, the World Para Nordic Skiing World Cup Finals scheduled for next week in Ostersund has also been cancelled.