THUNDER BAY — Funding issues and logistical challenges have cost Thunder Bay the role of host of the 2024 World Tai Chi Championships.
The announcement was made Tuesday by Peng You, president of the Peng You Taiji Quan Association and liaison for the 2024 international event.
Thunder Bay was awarded the championships in 2019, and was expecting more than 500 competitors from across the globe.
You said the decision to withdraw was based on several factors including insufficient guaranteed funding, escalating costs, and logistical challenges related to transportation for participants, coaches, referees, and officials.
"This decision was not taken lightly, considering the event's significant scale involving over 160 countries, which ultimately rendered Thunder Bay as an impractical host," You said.
He said he had provided a personal guarantee of $300,000 to help cover costs, but more was needed.
Instead of Thunder Bay, the championships will take place this year in Singapore, where You said the government has provided $2 million in funding.
"It's really too hard to transport athletes, referees, officials, equipment and visitors. It really is unrealistic . . . We need more volunteers, adequate facilities and lots of hotel rooms. We couldn't do it this time."
Although he regrets losing the event, You said it was still an honour to be chosen to host it.
No application was submitted for government funding or funding from the city to help cover the cost of hosting the championships.
Paul Pepe, manager of tourism for the City of Thunder Bay, called the cancellation disappointing but understandable given the kinds of challenges currently impacting organizers of various events.
"Air transportation and in particular the reduction in competition and frequencies, plus increased rates, have become a concern for the community in attracting large provincial, national or international sport tourism and corporate events," he said in a statement to TBnewswatch.
Pepe said Thunder Bay hotels also experience high occupancy rates, including sellouts, in the summer months, so booking large blocks of rooms for visitors can be difficult.
This is the second major event impacted recently by transportation costs.
Several sports were dropped from the Ontario Winter Games last month after provincial organizations decided not to participate.
Pepe said Tourism Thunder Bay is working with airlines and Thunder Bay Airport to articulate the business case for increased service.
"We're confident that . . . we will see a return to more frequencies and competition as airlines sort out labour and equipment shortage issues."
He added that there's still a high demand for travel to Thunder Bay from the sports, leisure and corporate markets, and that the city will host numerous smaller events this year which will result in "a healthy sport tourism year overall."
This story was updated at 12:17 PM with additional information provided by Tourism Thunder Bay.
