This year's IBSF Congress - due o be in Jamaica - will now have a virtual format instead ©IBSF

This year's annual Congress of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) will be hosted in a virtual format on September 16 and 17 following the reluctant postponement of plans for it to be hosted in Jamaica.

The Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (JBSF) planned to stage the Congress at Ocho Rios, and has had on-site preparational meetings during the past months.

It is now expected to stage the 2023 edition of the annual meeting, which will also coincide with the IBSF's 100th anniversary.

An IBSF statement read: "Though the worldwide situation around the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be improving, both parties had to acknowledge that the participants of the IBSF Congress may still not be able to fully experience the beauty and uniqueness that Jamaica has to offer.

"Therefore it was mutually agreed to postpone the IBSF Congress to another year.

"Based on this information the IBSF Executive Committee fully supports the application of the Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation to host the Congress in 2023 which will be finally decided by the IBSF Congress 2021."

IBSF President Ivo Ferriani now hopes to hold the 100-year anniversary Congress in Jamaica in 2023 after deciding this year's event must be virtual ©Getty Images
IBSF President Ivo Ferriani now hopes to hold the 100-year anniversary Congress in Jamaica in 2023 after deciding this year's event must be virtual ©Getty Images

The first day of the online 2021 Congress will feature presentations by Executive Committee members and other stakeholders in an interactive format where the delegates of member federations can raise questions through the video function.

The Congress itself will be held on day two, again with interaction by the delegates through video.

"I want to thank the Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation and its President Chris Stokes for the great effort he has put forward during the last months," said IBSF President Ivo Ferriani.

"We all prefer to meet in person but the current circumstances require us to be as flexible as possible and force us to hold the Congress again in a virtual format.

"After one year of online meetings we are all familiar with that format of a meeting.

"Nevertheless, our priority will be on an interactive exchange with our members to allow for the best experience of all participants.

"I am sure our member federations will echo and support the application by Jamaica to host the Congress 2023.

"The Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation has been a key player in the promotion of our sports since decades and it’s only fair to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the IBSF in Jamaica in 2023.

"Obviously the final decision will be taken by the Congress delegates."