The Bermuda Tourism Authority reacted with dismay last night to news that the 2021 World Triathlon Sprint and Relay Championship had to be postponed amid soaring cases of Covid-19.

The event next month was poised to bring relief to an economy hit hard by the pandemic.

Charles Jeffers II, chief executive of the BTA, said replacement events were now being planned.

Mr Jeffers said the loss was “certainly a blow to the sector which has looked forward to this economic shot in the arm over the past 18 months”.

The call to postpone was made by the Bermuda Local Organising Committee and World Triathlon after “extensive” talks with the Government and health authorities.

Guests from around the world would have come to Bermuda from October 15 to 17.

Mr Jeffers said: “While we share in the disappointment, we know that safeguarding Bermuda’s reputation, and health and safety is key.

“However, the postponement is a speed bump, not the end of the road, and we are currently in talks with the World Triathlon body to replace the event with a series of World Triathlon sanctioned international endurance events over the next three years.”

Mr Jeffers added: “Flora Duffy’s iconic status as World and Olympic Champion will go a long way in shining a light on Bermuda’s continued triathlon ambitions.”

The announcement on Saturday came to a backdrop of rising cases of infection in the island’s fourth and worst wave of Covid-19 cases.

A risk assessment concluded that health and safety would have been jeopardised by going ahead with the event.