The World Championships are thus now set for June 28 to July 2 next year.

The joint announcement by British Canoeing and the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Board was prompted by "ongoing concerns of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly with regards the welfare of the freestyle community of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators, and the likely international travel restrictions."

Lluis Rabaneda, chairman of the ICF Freestyle Committee, commented: "These are very difficult times for everyone, and so tough decisions have to be made that prioritise the health and safety of our community.

"We commend British Canoeing and its supporters for their professional approach to these challenges.

"While having to postpone will disappoint everyone involved, we are excited we will get the opportunity to hold our World Championships at the same fantastic location next year.

"British Canoeing has worked tirelessly to make sure these world championships will be an event to remember, and next year will be even better, a festival of freestyle that will elevate our incredible sport to a whole new level."

Andrew Jackson, Freestyle World Championships event director, added: "Whilst the postponement of the event is obviously very disappointing for athletes and all those involved in the organisation of the event, we have to take the health and safety of everyone involved into account.

"We wanted this event to be the best freestyle world championships yet, which would not have been possible behind closed doors.

"We are grateful to Holme Pierrepont Country Park, home of the National Watersports Centre, for their flexibility and the ICF for their support in postponing the event to next year."

The first "unofficial" World Championships in canoe freestyle were held at St Davids, Wales, in 1991.

The United Kingdom is now considered one of the most active and vibrant canoe freestyle communities in the world, and should get to showcase this when Nottingham stages the World Championships in 2022.