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VERNON, sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ — The sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Winter Games next month in Vernon have been cancelled due to the rise of COVID-19 cases in British Columbia. 

Some 1,800 athletes, coaches and officials were expected to participate in the multi-sport Games, Feb. 24-27.

"I recognize how devastating this news is for the athletes, coaches, volunteers, and host region of Greater Vernon who have been working tirelessly to prepare for these Games," sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½'s sport and tourism minister Melanie Mark said in a statement.
"These are not easy decisions to make. I sincerely hope that the dreams of these athletes to compete at this stage can be safely realized in the near future."

More than 2,000 volunteers were also expected to take part. 

The Winter Games are held every two years, the most recent ones in Fort St. John in 2020. The 2020 Summer Games in Maple Ridge, sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, were cancelled. Maple Ridge has been awarded the 2024 Summer Games. 

The 2022 Summer Games are slated for Prince George. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 15, 2022. 

The Canadian Press