The World University Games that were due to open in China in just over four months have been postponed until next year.
The Swiss-based governing body FISU said on Friday that COVID-19 and travel restrictions had prompted the postponement of the Universiade, adding that the decision was made jointly with officials in China.
The multi-sport event, which features about 8,000 athletes, was to have opened in Chengdu in western China on August 18, just days after the closing of the Tokyo Olympics.
A rescheduled date has not been announced.
China has two other huge multi-sport events coming up. The Winter Olympics are due to open on February 4, 2022 in Beijing, while the Asian Games, which feature more sports than the Olympics, are set for Hangzhou from September 10, 2022.
China has become the go-to nation for many of these mega-events because it pays the costs, builds venues quickly, and does not need voter approval, which is common in many European countries.
Australian Associated Press