The European Junior and Youth Orienteering Championships scheduled for the end of October in Hungary have been cancelled ©IOF

The European Junior and Youth Orienteering Championships scheduled for the end of October in Hungary have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Competition was due to take place in the Hungarian town of Salgótarján from October 23 to 26. 

It has been cancelled as coronavirus cases rise in the host country, with the Organising Committee unable to guarantee the health of each participant. 

Hungary recorded 916 COVID-19 cases yesterday, a sharp increase from the 118 recorded on September 1. 

In addition, a growing number of federations are unable to get to the competition due to travel restrictions. 

The European Junior and Youth Orienteering Championships had been due to take place in the Hungarian town of Salgótarján ©Wikipedia
The European Junior and Youth Orienteering Championships had been due to take place in the Hungarian town of Salgótarján ©Wikipedia

"We did our utmost for this event to happen, but the external circumstances were against us," a letter signed by event director Tibor Sramkó and Hungarian Orienteering Federation secretary general Áron Less said.

"We hope to be able to organise this event in one of the coming years, when the situation returns to normal."

International Orienteering Federation chief executive Tom Hollowell also commented on the situation.

"The organisers have done a tremendous job in trying to keep this event alive for the junior and youth athletes and I would really like to commend their work," he said.