The reason cited was to protect the health and safety of the athletes, volunteers, spectators, event staff and residents of Lloydminster. The games had originally been scheduled for July 26 to Aug. 1 in 2020 and was postponed to summer 2021. Now it is off altogether, but the plan is to return the event to its normal four-year cycle in 2024. Lloydminster will have right of first refusal to host the games. “The athletes’ safety and comfort is paramount,” said Kevin Kusch, chair of the 2021 Sask. Summer Games host society, in a statement. “Considering the guidelines in place for competitive team sports such as baseball, soccer, and rugby, to name just a few, as a Host Society, we cannot offer athletes and their supporters the experience they deserve. From the beginning, our board has maintained the games need to be a memorable event. For many athletes, this is their first experience competing at the provincial level, and as a host society, one of our duties is to provide them with a true Saskatchewan Summer Games experience. We look ahead to welcoming the athletes, coaches and families when it is safe to do so.”