After increasing pressure to postpone the event due to the outbreak of coronavirus, which, according to latest figures, has infected more than 5,000 people around the world and killed 131 in China, World Athletics have confirmed they have made the decision move the event to March 2021. 

It was originally scheduled for March 13 to 15 at the newly-built Cube gymnasium at the Nanjing Youth Olympic Sports Park.

"It is with regret that we have agreed with the organisers of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing to postpone the event to March 2021," World Athletics said.

"We know that China is doing all it can to contain the new coronavirus and we support them in all their efforts but it is necessary to provide our athletes, Member Federations and partners with a clear way forward in what is a complex and fast-moving set of circumstances.

"The advice from our medical team, who are in contact with the World Health Organization, is that the spread of the coronavirus both within China and outside the country is still at a concerning level and no one should be going ahead with any major gathering that can be postponed."

World Athletics revealed they turned down the opportunity of relocating the Championships. 

"We have considered the possibility of relocating the event to another country and would like to thank the cities that have volunteered to host the Championships. 

"However, given concerns still exist regarding the spread of the virus outside China, we have decided not to go with this option, as it may lead to further postponement at a later date.

"The indoor season for athletics falls within a narrow calendar window (up to the end of March) and we believe we will be able to find a suitable date in 2021 to host this event. 

"We would like Nanjing to be the host given the extensive planning and preparation they have put into this event.

"We have chosen not to cancel the Championships as many of our athletes would like this event to take place so we will now work with our athletes, our partners and the Nanjing Organising Committee to secure a date in 2021 to stage this event."

The virus is causing chaos to the sporting calendar in China.

A Winter X Games event was postponed today, while the Chinese women's football team is being kept in isolation in Brisbane over concerns about the spread of the virus.

Other casualties in the past 24 hours included the first official Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing test event.

This is not the first occasion that a major event like this has fallen foul to an situation like this. 

In 2001, the World Cross Country Championships was moved from Dublin at short notice to Ostend in Belgium after the Irish Government had introduced emergency measures to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease.