The coronavirus outbreak has caused the cancellation of Prince Harry's Invictus Games which were scheduled to go ahead in May.
In a statement organisers said that they can no longer take place as planned.
They added: "We are now investigating all options to reschedule the Invictus Games, subject to the availability of key facilities and resources, to May or June 2021.
"Significant planning to scope and confirm this option is underway.
"This decision was taken in consultation with the participating nations’ teams and in close coordination with local and national authorities to limit the impact of the pandemic on all parties involved in the delivery of, and particularly participation in, the Games."
The outbreak has gripped Europe which is now considered the epicentre despite the fact Covid-19 originated in the Wuhan area of China.
Mart de Kruif, Chairman of the Invictus Games the Hague 2020, said: “The Coronavirus and its effects are part of a global pandemic which will influence every public event in the foreseeable future.
"Therefore, we find ourselves in a clear situation which left us no other choice than to reschedule the Invictus Games to the year 2021. By doing this, we also bring clarity to those vulnerable competitors and their loved ones, a clarity which is so desperately needed in their journey to recovery.”
Conny Wenting, CEO of the Invictus Games The Hague 2020, said: “Just 50 days before the event was due to start, we are taking the right decision in protecting everyone involved, by not raising the Invictus Games flag in The Hague in May 2020.
"We as a team tried our utmost to find a new date in 2021. We are still trying to find the best possible solution for next year amidst the busy landscape of other events currently trying to reschedule.
Dominic Reid, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, said: “We know that those training to compete and represent their countries will be disappointed, but we also know that for The Hague to deliver a safe, exciting and impactful Games, the wait until next year will be worth it.
"All competitors who were selected by their nations to take part in the Invictus Games The Hague 2020 will receive their medallion from the Invictus Games Foundation later this year in recognition of their resilience, their commitment to their training, and as an acknowledgment of their journey to recovery through sport.”
As of 9am on 19 March 2020, 64,581 people have been tested in the UK, of which 61,352 were confirmed negative and 3,229 were confirmed positive. 144 patients in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have died.
Prime minister Boris Johnson announced today the UK could 'turn the tide' on coronavirus in 12 weeks if the public is stringent and follow the social distancing measures.
"I'm conscious as the days have gone by that people will want to know how long we're expecting them to keep it up," he told his daily press conference in No 10.
"I think, looking at it all, that we can turn the tide within the next 12 weeks and I'm absolutely confident that we can send coronavirus packing in this country.
"But only if we all take the steps that we've outlined, that is vital, that's how we're going to reduce the peak and once we've achieved that and I think that we will, if we take the steps I've said, then the scientific progress that we've been making will really start coming into play."
Scientists are expected to start trials for the first vaccine within a month and if successful they hope to ramp up tests from 5,000 a day to 250,000 a day.
