The World Curling Federation has been forced to cancel the Youth Curling Camp due to the threat of COVID-19 ©WCF

The World Curling Federation (WCF) has cancelled its annual youth curling camp in Füssen in Germany due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

The camp, which has been running uninterrupted for the past 22 years, was due to take place from July 5 to 11 in the town close to the Austrian border.

However, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which has claimed the lives of almost 40,000 people, the event can not go ahead.

There are more than 805,000 confirmed cases worldwide.

"Sadly, this is the first time in the annual camp's 22-year history it has not been possible to run it", said a WCF statement.

Some of Eve Muirhead's team's players, including Lauren Gray - left - and Vicki Chalmers - right - have attended the youth camp over the years ©Getty Images
Some of Eve Muirhead's team's players, including Lauren Gray - left - and Vicki Chalmers - right - have attended the youth camp over the years ©Getty Images

"However, the safety and well-being of the campers and instructors is paramount and with the global uncertainty around the spread of novel coronavirus it is simply not possible to do so at this time."

An ice technicians' course was also scheduled to run from June 30 to July 2 in the town and has too been cancelled. 

The adult camp in Prague in the Czech Republic, running from August 16 to 20, could still go ahead as planned, with the WCF currently monitoring the situation.

Some of the world's best curlers have attended Füssen's youth camp in the past, including three of Eve Muirhead's team-mates - Anna Sloan, Lauren Gray and Vicki Chalmers.