Mixed Doubles Curling Trials cancelled due to rising COVID-19 cases
Curling Canada is cancelling the 2022 Mixed Doubles Curling Trials due to a variety of reasons regarding COVID-19.
In a news release Sunday morning, Curling Canada said it is cancelling the tournament due to a rise in positive tests for COVID-19 among athletes who were scheduled to attend and the risks associated with travelling.
The event was scheduled to begin on Tuesday at Stride Place in Portage la Prairie, Man., and was to decide Canada's mixed doubles team for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Curling Canada said it looked at making a bubble for the athletes, but a lack of prep time and the rise of the Omicron variant made it impossible to create.
"There was just no feasible way to do this in a safe and responsible manner for everyone that was going to be involved in the event," said Al Cameron, Curling Canada's director of communications.
The curling organization said it would consult with the Canadian Olympic Committee and Own the Podium to decide the best process to nominate a Canadian mixed doubles team that will compete in China. It said an announcement of the nominated team will be made when the process is complete.
"I would characterize it as disappointment but understanding as well under the circumstances," said Cameron when asked about how the athletes are feeling.
Curling Canada said it is working with health authorities for the remaining 2021-22 season and remains optimistic that its championship events can be played.
Canada is the defending Olympic champion in mixed doubles, which made its debut in 2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
John Morris and Kaitlyn Lawes captured for the first gold medal awarded in the discipline.
Arrangements are being made for 2022 Mixed Doubles Curling Trials ticket-holders to be refunded.
-With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Alleged gang member driving from U.S. arrested at Canadian border after making wrong turn
An alleged gang member coming from the United States was arrested at the Canadian border after reportedly making a wrong turn onto the Peace Bridge border crossing.
Kingston, Ont. doctor ordered to repay $600K for pandemic vaccination payments
An Ontario health tribunal has ordered a Kingston, Ont. doctor to repay over $600,000 to the Ontario government for improperly billing thousands of COVID-19 vaccinations at the height of the pandemic.
'Bedlam': Nova Scotia lawyer suspended following ugly courtroom fracas
A Nova Scotia lawyer who had to be restrained by deputy sheriffs during a court appearance earlier this year has lost his appeal of a suspension following the bizarre incident.
After multiple data breaches, Yahoo settled a class-action lawsuit. The deadline to file compensation claims is approaching
Yahoo and Rogers customers in Canada have until the end of the month to claim up to $375 cash from a data breach settlement.
Wind chills of -50, snowfall of up to 50 cm: Canada's weather forecast
As the second day of December unfolds, Canadians from coast to coast are experiencing a range of wintry conditions. Here's what's happening in different parts of the country.
Neighbours who sheared tops of B.C. man's bamboo plants ordered to pay $1K in damages
A B.C. man whose neighbours lopped the tops off of four of his bamboo plants has been awarded $1,000 in damages by the province’s Civil Resolution Tribunal.
A 17-year-old player dies after collapsing during a charity hockey game in New York
A 17-year-old hockey player collapsed during a charity game in New York and later died, authorities said.
Canada lists Ansarallah, known as the Houthis, a terrorist entity
The Canadian government has listed the Yemeni militant group Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, as a terrorist group in an effort to 'fight terrorism globally.'
Multiple elements contributed to fatal Chinook helicopter crash in Ottawa River, investigation concludes
The investigation into a Chinook helicopter crash near Petawawa, Ont. that killed two military pilots concludes an 'unperceived acceleration' and environmental conditions were "significant contributors" to the crash in the Ottawa River.