Organisers of next year's World Games said on Tuesday they were urgently reviewing their options after the rescheduling of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The World Games are held every four years and showcase over 35 sports not on the Olympic program, with next year's event scheduled for July 15–25 in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Tokyo 2020 organising committee said on Monday that this year's Olympic Games would be pushed back to July 23-Aug. 8, 2021 because of the pandemic.
"The IWGA had already been in close contact with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and they have pledged to help The World Games overcome the major challenges created by the decision," the International World Games Association said.
Among the options being considered are a possible change of dates to similar dates in 2022 or to slightly earlier dates in 2021, the IWGA added.
"Our goal is to find the best solution for all involved, and especially for the athletes. We need to take into account all aspects of the qualification process, event preparation and execution," IWGA chief executive Joachim Gossow said.