Except for the years of the two world wars, for the first time there will be no national university champions, and the first time since U Sports began in 1961.
The U sports nationals are considered the highest level of competition in Canada, just below those of national teams or Olympic sport.
The four U-sports conferences, Canada West, AUS- (Atlantic University Sport -maritimes), OUA-Ontario University Athletics, and Reseau du sport etudiant du Quebec, have all been reporting increased numbers of COVID cases in their regions, especially the central and most populous provinces of Ontario and Quebec..
The cancellations of nine winter championships in nine locations across the country has left the 56 member institutions and about 20,000 athletes with no national competition this winter in male and female indoor events in basketball, hockey, swimming, track,volleyball, and wrestling
Dick White, the interim chief executive officer of U Sports. explained the decision saying “It is not logistically possible for teams to be travelling across the country at this time.”. The travel concerns were coupled with other restrictions regarding gatherings indoors.
Dr. Taryn Taylor, U SPORTS Chief Medical Officer said, “As the number of cases rise during the second wave of COVID-19, and without an available vaccine, on-going sports restrictions are required to ensure student-athlete health and safety.”
Though national events have been cancelled, there are discussion in some conferences about regional play and alos differing conditions for team vs individual sport.
International
Meanwhile , international competitions which had been scheduled for Canada have been cancelled and some moved to other locations.
The Lake Louise resort in Alberta was to be the site of international downhill and Super-G skiing events for late November have been cancelled with races moved to Europe, However the over 30 events each in men’s and women’s skiing are all under some doubt and depend on the evolving COVID situation which is also increasing in Europe
When Skate Canada cancelled its event for October 30-31, it has almost ended the Grand Prix season for almost every Canadian skater. Normally skaters can enter any two events with their top six results afterward enabling their qualification for the final. This year competitors were limited to one event close to home to reduce travel because of COVID, The next opportunity will be in January in Vancouver which will determine who goes to the World event in March in Sweden. Meanwhile Australia has cancelled the Four Continents competition set for February.
The situation is similar for speed skating with a number of national and international events cancelled or postponed indefinitely
Sliding events in Canada have been cancelled with bobsleigh, luge and skeleton mostly being held in Europe set to start in November.
Several curling events have been cancelled, and some still on the schedule may well be held without spectators similar to other sporting events.
additional information -sources
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