Today Sport Manitoba announced the postponement of the Manitoba Summer Games.
The Games were meant to take place this August, with the City of Dauphin hosting and our triathlon event taking place in Riding Mountain National Park. With the current social distancing guidelines and regulations in place to combat the spread of the Corona Virus, the event could not be held this summer. While it’s disappointing for us and especially for our young and aspiring triathletes, we all understand that public health must be our first priority.
The rescheduled Games will take place from July 11th to 17th in 2021. Dauphin will remain the host city. Further details about the 2021 Games and the triathlon event will be decided in the coming months. Our immediate goals though are to ensure that everyone who was working for a place in the 2020 event will still have a place in the 2021 Games. This means any athletes born in 2005 would still be allowed to compete (as would those born 2006-2010). Further, we will ensure that athletes who have already been working towards qualification for the Games maintain that position and are rewarded for their work.
Further details about the event and updated qualification criteria will be shared with all as they become available.
The full media release from Sport Manitoba is included below:
Media Release
April 27, 2020
Sport Manitoba Announces Postponement of the Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro to 2021
April 27, 2020 (Winnipeg, MB) – To keep Manitobans safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19, Sport Manitoba and the Dauphin Host Society have announced that the Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro that were set to take place from August 9–15, 2020, have been postponed and will take place next summer in Dauphin from July 11–17, 2021.
Sport Manitoba and the Dauphin Host Society worked with the City of Dauphin and the Provincial Sport Organizations to reach the collective decision to postpone the event, and will work with all Games partners in the coming months to continue to prepare and plan for the new Games date.
The Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro are staged every two years and alternate between summer and winter sporting events, and are the largest ongoing multi-sport event in the province. The Games involve upwards of 3,000 athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers, and represent an opportunity for young athletes to compete and prepare to reach national and international sporting stages.
The sports showcased at the 2021 Manitoba Games include: Athletics, Baseball, Basketball, Cycling, Golf, Rugby, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Triathlon and Volleyball.
Quotes
“Our athletes have trained so hard, and dedicated so many hours to be ready for competition, but at times like this, difficult decisions must be made. We should treat this pause like an athlete resting in between workouts. We will come back stronger, and when the Games resume we can all cheer loudly and proudly because we appreciate them that much more.” – The Honourable Minister Cathy Cox, Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage
“This was a difficult decision to make as we know thousands of Manitobans are affected, including athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, sponsors and people across the province who planned on attending and being a part of the Games. However, the conclusion to postpone was necessary as public health and safety is ultimately our top priority, and we have to do everything we can to keep our communities safe during this health crisis. We want to sincerely thank everyone for their patience and understanding throughout this whole process, and we are looking forward to coming together with our sport community in Dauphin in 2021.” – Jeff Hnatiuk, President & CEO, Sport Manitoba
“Our first priority is the health and safety of the athletes, coaches, volunteers, and our community. We want this to be an experience these young athletes will remember forever, so although postponing the Games was a difficult decision to make, it was the right one. The City looks forward to hosting the Manitoba Summer Games powered by Manitoba Hydro in Dauphin from July 11–17, 2021.”– Allen Dowhan, City of Dauphin Mayor
“The collective decision to postpone the Games to 2021 is the best one we could have hoped for. The one year postponement will be used to further plan and execute a high quality event. Our committed team looks forward to welcoming the athletes and spectators to Dauphin when it is safe to do so.” – Carla Wolfenden and Clayton Swanton, 2020 Dauphin Manitoba Games Host Society Co-Chairs
