Predictable. The International School Sport Federation (ISF) has announced the cancellation of the 2023 Winter Gymnasiade. It was to take place in Erzurum, Turkey, from 11 to 19 February. The reason for this was the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey on Monday 6 February. The earthquake killed nearly 6,000 people and the WHO predicts that more than 20,000 people will die between Turkey and Syria. The ISF explained in a statement on its website that it had taken its decision in accordance with the official letter from the Turkish government announcing the cancellation of all sporting events in the country. “On behalf of the entire ISF family, we would like to express our deepest condolences to the people of Turkey at this difficult time,” wrote the body chaired by Frenchman Laurent Petrynka. “Our thoughts and support are with the victims, their families and all the people of Turkey who are recovering from this traumatic event.” Erzurum was to host the first ever Winter Gymnasiade. The event would have brought together 800 young school athletes from over 25 countries, competing in eight sports.
