It was only a matter of time before it happened but the largest annual sporting event in the NWT won't go ahead for 2020.

The NWT Track and Field Championships, which were scheduled for Hay River from June 3 to 5, have been officially cancelled, the announcement coming on Facebook on Tuesday evening. It joins a long list of other cancelled tournaments in the NWT, including the Canadian North Balsillie Cup, Canadian North Rec Hockey Tournament along with Junior and Senior Super Soccer.

Tim Borchuk, who co-chairs the organizing committee, said they held on as long as they could but it all came down to what was best for the athletes.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have so many people SA国际影视传媒� athletes, coaches, volunteers SA国际影视传媒� that we feed and house in close quarters for three days,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 wouldn't feel very good if someone goes back to their community with the virus and knowing they got it while in Hay River.SA国际影视传媒�

Borchuk said he and JJ Hirst, his fellow co-chair, made the final decision in consultation with several people from government and businesses and it wasn't a knee-jerk reaction.

SA国际影视传媒淭his wasn't a quick one,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e mulled this over for the last two weeks but we knew what we had to do in order to keep people safe.SA国际影视传媒�

The meet generally draws more than 1,100 participants with an estimated 900-plus coming in to Hay River from communities around the NWT. Most of those people end up staying in classrooms and gymnasiums at the four schools in the town as well as other locations such as churches.

SA国际影视传媒淲e weren't worried about the events outdoors so much but when you have that many people staying in an enclosed area for any length of time, the possibility of something happening is huge,SA国际影视传媒� said Borchuk. SA国际影视传媒淚t breaks my heart to have to do this but I'm relieved that we finally made a decision.SA国际影视传媒�

The decision also answered questions from businesses around town that were wondering what was going to happen, he added.

SA国际影视传媒淚've been talking with our suppliers and people in the community and that was definitely on their minds,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey're relieved that there's been a decision made because it's tougher for them not knowing what's going on. In general, people have been gracious about it all. They understand why we've had to do this.SA国际影视传媒�