The World Veteran Championships, due to be held in Bordeaux at the end of April 2021, have been cancelled.

The event was originally postponed from June 2020 because of the pandemic, but organisers have now taken the decision to call off the event permanently.

In a statement, the organising committee said: “It is with a lot of sorrow that we announce the final cancellation of WVC2020 which was meant to take place in April 2021. We must sadly accept that the health crisis linked to COVID-19 might still be running on the rescheduled date of WVC2020 in 2021.

“Facing this circumstance, we gathered the main WVC2020’s stakeholders and assessed all risk management. They unanimously highly recommend to cancel the event. Health of players, accompanying persons, referees, volunteers and all stakeholders being our top priority.”

“We share your disappointment and hope that our paths may cross in future World Veterans Championships organizations. Until then, please stay healthy.”

A full refunds process is under way, and competitors will receive an email outlining the process.

The next World Veteran Championships are due to take place in Oman in January 2023. Before then, the European Veteran Championships take place in 2022 in Cardiff. The event was moved from 2021 when the World event was originally postponed.