With the aim of protecting the health and safety of athletes, event staff, volunteers, spectators, and citizens of Lloydminster, Lloydminster City, Saskatchewan Games Council, and the Lloydminster 2020 Host Society have jointly announced the cancelation of the Saskatchewan Summer Games 2021.
Amid growing concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan and Canada in general, and after careful consideration as well as continuing discussions between the three teams, provincial sports organizations, sports, cultural and recreational districts, and provincial authorities, it has been decided that the Games will not continue in the summer of 2021.
The games were originally scheduled for July 26 to August 1, 2020, but were postponed to the summer of 2021 during the first wave of the world health crisis after the three parties reached an agreement in April, 2020. The decision was announced in consultation with stakeholders, government and health officials.
After the cancellation of the Saskatchewan Summer Games 2021, the event will return to its quadrennial cycle, with the next summer games taking place in 2024. Communities hosting Saskatchewan Games are often offered a bidding process, but due to circumstances surrounding the cancellation of the 2021 Summer Games, the Saskatchewan Sports Council will grant the city of Lloydminster the right to refuse for the first time to host the 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games.
The Saskatchewan Games are one of the largest sporting events in Saskatchewan, in which more than 2,000 athletes, coaches, as well as officials from all parts of the province participate. The annual games, alternating between summer and winter, provide an opportunity for developing athletes, coaches, and provincial officials to experience exciting multi-sport events in order to prepare for high levels of competition, such as the Canada Games, Western Canada Summer Games, North American Traditional Games, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games as well.