NICE, France – Due to the escalating COVID-19 situation and new protocols put in place, Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) was forced to withdraw its team from the Henri Deglane Grand Prix de France.

“There were a series of last-minute restrictions put in place which couldn’t have been foreseen that made this trip impossible,” said WCL High Performance Director Lúcás Ó’Ceallacháin.

“Travelling safely is our top priority, and we want to put our athletes in the best possible situation to perform.”

WCL was going to send seven athletes to the event. Sam Stewart, Diana Weicker, Tianna Kennett, Jessica Brouillette, Michelle Fazzari, Olivia Di Bacco, and Clayton Pye were unable to make the trip to France to compete.

The tournament, which is set to run from January 15 to 17, would have been the first international competition for these athletes since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March of 2020.

“The athletes who were planning on going to France were very understanding of the unfortunate situation and we appreciate their flexibility. The French Federation was also very helpful in trying to get us the necessary paperwork to make the event possible for us,” added Ó’Ceallacháin.

The event organizers had originally scheduled a training camp to follow the tournament, but they were forced to cancel it due a rise in COVID-19 cases in the area.

“We will now regroup and look at the next available opportunities for our athletes to wrestle internationally.”