Event & Arena News

The domestic tour between the USA Women’s National Volleyball Training Team and the Chinese Junior National Team scheduled for later this month has been canceled due to concerns with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), USA Volleyball announced today. Refunds for the cancelled April 27 game are available at the point of purchase.

SARS - characterized by high fever and breathing difficulties - has infected more than 2,601 people, killing 98, according to the World Health Organization's web site this morning. It has spread to 19 countries, including the United States. No U.S. deaths have been reported.

The tour was scheduled to begin at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit on Saturday, April 26 before moving to Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Sunday, April 27. The Convocation Center at Cleveland State University on Thursday, May 1 and Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Friday, May 2 were the final two stops for the teams.

“Certainly, everyone is disappointed in having to cancel this tour,” said USA Volleyball Director of High Performance National Programs Tom Pingel. “I know that the players and staff were very much looking forward to participating. While canceling is unfortunate, it was the only realistic option at this time. In no way did we want to take a chance on exposing anyone to a disease that is so unknown.”

Other national and international sports governing bodies are taking the same precautions. On March 30, the International Ice Hockey Federation canceled the 2003 IIHF Women's World Championship, which was to be held in Beijing, China, on April 3-9.