The 2020 World Surfing Games have been postponed due to the novel coronavirus Covid-19 global pandemic.
The International Surfing Association (ISA) announced that, due to safety reasons, the 2020 ISA World Surfing Games have been postponed to June 6-14.
The governing body for the sport of surfing and the government of El Salvador took the decision to ensure the wellbeing of athletes, teams, and staff.
The event was scheduled to run from May 9-17 at El Sunzal and La Bocana.
Twelve Olympic qualifiers - five men and seven women - are still to be determined, even though the Tokyo 2020 Games might be postponed or canceled.
Uncertain Times
The decision to push the 2020 ISA World Surfing Games two months on was taken in agreement with the World Surf League (WSL).
WSL has also announced the suspension of the professional surfing season at least until the end of May.
"We will continue to follow the developments of the novel coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak globally, and will reassess the status of the event again on March 31," underlines Fernando Aguerre, president of ISA.
The ISA is working with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board regarding potential changes to the qualification process and contingency plans related to the role of the WSG in the Olympic qualification.
"These are very difficult, uncertain times for everyone. So, we must be more united than ever in our love for the ocean and belief in the future."
"We are committed to taking a responsible approach, and getting back into the water as soon as safely possible," concludes Aguerre.
Take a look at the list of surfers that have already qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Japan.