The 2021 Junior Luge World Championships have been cancelled ©FIL

Next year's International Luge Federation (FIL) Junior World Championships in Germany have been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The FIL Executive Board said it had made the decision "due to the uncertain situation and unforeseeable development around the COVID-19 pandemic".

Winterberg had been scheduled to host the event from January 28 to 30.

The FIL has also called off a Junior World Cup in La Plagne and cancelled the entire Youth A World Cup series as a result of the global health crisis.

It means all World Cups for young athletes in the 2020-2021 season will be held solely in the junior class.

Winterberg had been due to host the FIL Junior World Championships in January ©FIL
Winterberg had been due to host the FIL Junior World Championships in January ©FIL

"We deeply regret these decisions, but in view of the current COVID-19 situation there is no alternative," said FIL executive director Christoph Schweiger.

"On behalf of the FIL Executive Board and COVID-19 advisory group, I would like to take this opportunity to expressly thank the track operators and organisers in La Plagne and Winterberg. 

"They have tried everything to make the FIL junior events possible even under these difficult circumstances."

Restrictions imposed across the world to combat COVID-19 are continuing to wreak havoc on the global sporting calendar.

The FIL said earlier this month that its upcoming Luge World Cup season would be held "almost entirely in Europe" due to the impact of the pandemic.

All races are scheduled to take place in Europe except the final, which will be staged on the new track for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.