ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The Telegram has learned there is a strong possibility the 2020 Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games this summer will be postponed.
The Games are scheduled for Bay Roberts Aug. 15-22, but given the COVID-19 pandemic, a recommendation has been put forward to Premier Dwight Ball and the provincial government to postpone for a period of time.
The question is how long should they be postponed. They cannot go past the 22nd as athletes are preparing for a new school year.
There has been some consideration to postponing until next year, but 2021 is a Canada Summer Games year, in the Niagara, Ont., region, and there is concern there will be too much pressure on the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial sports organizations preparing and organizing teams for both events.
One other option on the table is to postpone for four years, and have Bay Roberts play host to the 2024 provincial Summer Games.
Currently, Corner Brook is set to stage the 2024 Games.
The is even some talk of having both the Summer and Winter Games the same year, in 2022. The Winter Games are destined for Gander that year.
“It appears,” said a source, “government is on board with postponing. There likely won’t be a provincial Games this summer.”
Eight sports are slated for the first half of the games, from Aug. 15-18 – artistic swimming, male ball hockey, male baseball, cycling (road and mountain biking), female soccer and softball, tennis and triathlon.
The second-half (Aug. 19-22) sports are athletics, female ball hockey and baseball, golf, male soccer and softball and swimming.
“There is a lot of planning that has to go in months in advance,” said Judy Morrow, who is co-chairing the Games with Neil Kearley.
“We have this sporting event to look forward to,” she said, “and if not this summer, then at a time when it’s safe and healthy, and the whole Games can be enjoyed without worry.”
Twitter: @telyrobinshort
