USA Water Polo announced today that the world’s biggest youth water polo tournament is cancelled for 2020. The decision to cancel National Junior Olympics was made “[b]ased on the most recent safety assessments and in compliance with current health directives,” according to the organizing body in a press release.
The 2020 Rock-tober PCA 12 & Under Classic, and the 2020 Champions Cup were also shut down for the year.
The move comes as “[h]ealth standards and conditions for youth sports continue to vary across the nation with some states allowing a return to full water polo competition while others are limiting activity,” according to the statement presumably referencing California’s more stringent rules regarding physical contact.
The postponed games, originally set to take place in June, were pared down to include two extended holiday weekends in November and December. USA Water Polo has announced plans to create a “satellite festival” over the weekend of December 27-30 to include competitions and clinics.