One can have the best of intentions, have its best foot forward and deliver 100 per cent effort but sometimes circumstances will dictate that may not be enough.
Prince George was primed and ready to bring out the red carpet and showcase its city, friendliness and hospitality to the world but that opportunity is now on hold.
For the moment the coronavirus won out which means the world women’s curling championship will not take place this year at CN Centre.
Information regarding the cancellation of the 2020 World Women’s Curling Championship #wwcc2020 https://t.co/HxuZjwL5A6
— Curling Canada (@CurlingCanada) March 12, 2020
P.G. has built a reputation for being able to host top-notch first-class events and this year had everything in place to wow not only the curlers but the officials, dignitaries, media and most important of all the fans.
.@CityofPG Mayor @Lynhallpg disappointed over the cancellation of the World Women’s Curling Championship due to #COVID19 pandemic @CurlingCanada @mypgnow @Northern_Health @worldcurling #sports pic.twitter.com/3VlrPv6JsG
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) March 12, 2020
For most of this week, it appeared the championship would go ahead, but World Curling officials erred on the side of caution and made the right decision in calling off the championship.
Sometimes sports leaders need to rely on professionals in other areas and in this case, the verdict to cancel was made after careful deliberation with local public health officials and the event organisers following a recommendation from BC’s Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry.
World Women’s Curling Championship 2020 cancelled in Prince George, Canada >> https://t.co/fBVCX9OudQ#WWCC2020 #curling ?
— World Curling (@worldcurling) March 12, 2020
It was not realistic to believe World Curling should proceed in P.G. while virtually everything else was shutting down.
“There were some significant competitions across the world that were cancelled and these were much more longer-term decisions perhaps that were made up until that point,” said Cameron McCallister Head Of Media at World Curling Federation.
Cameron McCallister of @worldcurling devastated after cancellation of World Women’s Curling Championship in @CityofPG due to #COVID19 pandemic, hints other major curling tournaments may be cancelled as a result @CurlingCanada @mypgnow #cityofpg #sports pic.twitter.com/8ge8kOwMmT
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) March 12, 2020
All three major winter sport world championships Canada was to host this month have now been called off because of COVID-19 which this week was called a pandemic by the World Health Organization.
The world women’s hockey championship in Nova Scotia was scrapped on Saturday and the world figure skating championships in Montreal were cancelled on Wednesday.
“I am absolutely confident that the right decisions have been made,” Curling Canada chief executive officer Katherine Henderson said.
Henderson admitted the idea to have the women’s curling closed to the public was considered, but in the end, she felt there would have been too much risk of infection in the community.
“We wanted to take the little risk as humanly possible at this point.”I think indefinitely postponing or cancelling the event was just the smartest thing to do,” Henderson stated.
This is a reminder to all of us that enjoy sports that the games, no matter how big the stage, will always take a back seat to health concerns stemming from a virus that has been getting out of control.
The NHL, NBA, WHL and many other leagues have the possibility of starting up again in a month or more to continue and complete their season but the women curlers won’t be fortunate enough to have that chance this year.
Prince George has missed out in 2020 and will miss again next year (2021 World Women’s Curling Championship will be held in the Swiss town Schaffhausen) but it should not be that far down the road P.G will get its chance to host this prestigious event.
“I look around this facility and you know, I can’t imagine that there won’t be a significant event here again here there are good people here and they are good curling people and good business people,” said Al Cameron Director, Communication & Media Relations at Curling Canada.
Al Cameron of @CurlingCanada chats with the media following the cancellation of the World Women’s Curling Championship in @CityofPG @mypgnow #cityofpg #sports #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/HQBKEsFGVJ
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) March 12, 2020
For the short term life goes on without curling, hockey, basketball, baseball, you name it.
We are in the unchartered territory but we have also been reminded of a famous quote from Augusten Burroughs who stated
“When you have your health, you have everything. When you do not have your health, nothing else matters at all.”
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This is season two of Hartley’s Cat-Scan, a weekly podcast show that primarily features the Prince George Cougars.
My guest on the 26th Cat-Scan in year two is former Cougars forward Chris Petersen.
Chris talks about playing in both Victoria and Prince George before becoming a golf pro.
CAT SCAN: In this week’s episode @Hartley_Miller sits down with original @PGCougars Chris Peterson | https://t.co/GMaJGqZDiy #CityofPG #sports #NorthernUprising pic.twitter.com/CCNcIXkpJK
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) March 14, 2020
FROM THE QUOTE RACK:
Whoever comes up with the coronavirus vaccine will not only win the Nobel but will also be favoured for MVP of both the NHL and the NBA.
*Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Even the College World Series has been cancelled. So fans of top-level amateur baseball will have to wait until the play is resumed by the Miami Marlins.
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
Tom Brady is launching a Hollywood production company. It will mostly consist of filming undercover shows with the hidden cameras operated by Bill Belichick.
*Comedy writer Jim Barach http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.ca/
Now on #HearstLive: #TomBrady announces launch of #production company with #Russo brothers https://t.co/XCuRepZFeq via @WCVB
— HEARST (@Hearst) March 11, 2020
The minor-league Jacksonville (Fla.) Jumbo Shrimp have an unusual promotion on April 30: “Say Yes to Crack Night.”
Relax, folks — it’s simply a salute to chiropractors and plumbers.
*Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://www.seattletimes.com/author/dwight-perry/
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
A toothless Pennsylvania woman charged with alleged armed robbery said she did it because she needed to buy false teeth. Possible plea for leniency? Her gums weren’t loaded.
*Canadian comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the news and sports supervisor and morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT and Country 97.
He also is the 94.3 the Goat radio colour commentator for P.G. Cougars home games.
His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com.
Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]