Ontario Summer Games, including baseball competition, postponed until 2021
Photo: Tourism London
June 8, 2020
By Zanth Jarvis
Tourism London
(London, Ontario) – After weeks of consultation with a number of key partners, the London Games Organizing Committee, in partnership with the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries, announced today that the London 2020 Ontario Summer Games have officially been postponed to 2021.
“The health and well-being of all Ontarians remains our number one priority. As we prepare for the safe return of our athletes, we will be moving the Games to 2021 – a major year for Ontario as we emerge from COVID-19.”
– Lisa MacLeod - Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
“This was a difficult decision however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions around mass gatherings, it is one that needed to be made. We are in full support of this decision and look forward to welcoming these Games back to London in 2021”
– Bill Merrylees – Chair, London 2020 Ontario Summer Games
“While we are disappointed that the Games have been postponed, we know that it’s the right decision as the health and safety of athletes, coaches, parents, volunteers, sponsors, and community is the top priority. Although we’ll miss this event in 2020, we’re happy that it will still be hosted in London and look forward to its triumphant return in 2021.”
– Zanth Jarvis – Director, Sport Tourism – Tourism London
Scheduled to begin on July 30th and run until August 2nd, the 2020 Games would have featured over 3,400 youth athletes, coaches, and officials competing in 19 different sports across the City, resulting in a projected economic impact of over $5 million dollars. While the final details are still being worked through, the Organizing Committee is hopeful that dates, participant numbers and sports will still remain the same. As more information becomes available it will be posted at www.london2020.ca.
About Games Ontario
The Ontario Summer Games is supported by the Government of Ontario, through its Games Ontario program. This program delivers or supports multi-sport events, including the Ontario Winter and Summer Games for youth, the Ontario 55+ Summer and Winter Games and the Ontario Parasport Games.