THE British Elite Junior Diving Championships that were due to be held in Plymouth next month have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, as has this month’s Tavy 13 half marathon.

British Swimming announced the decision to postpone the diving on Tuesday, along with also cancelling the British Olympic and Paralympic swimming trials.

The diving championships should have been held at the Life centre on April 6-9 and followed on from the city venue hosting the senior championships earlier this year.

It is British Swimming’s intention to reschedule the top youth diving event, but not the swimming Olympic trials that should have been held at London’s Aquatic Centre next month.

Plymouth Leander’s Laura Stephens was among the athletes hoping to book their place on the GB team to Tokyo next month.

British Swimming have said their selection policy for picking a team for Japan are now under review, but Stephens did her chances of making the plane – providing the Olympics go ahead as planned – no harm by impressing at last weekend’s Edinburgh International Meet.

The British Para-Swimming International Meet, which was due to be held in Sheffield next month, was also acting as trials, but that has also been cancelled. Leander’s world para-swimming champion Reece Dunn had been due to compete there.

The popular Tavy 13, meanwhile, should have taken place on March 29, but England Athletics have advised clubs to suspend all events and training until at least the end of April.

Tavistock AC, who host the event, hope to announce an alternative date for the race in the near future.

The Plymouth Half Marathon is due to take place on May 17 and is still on currently, but organisers say they are monitoring the situation.

In a statement they said: “We are closely monitoring the situation with regards to the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes close attention to the latest guidance from the WHO (World Health Organisation), as well as from UK authorities, medical advisors and the local authority. Our top priorities are the welfare of our runners, volunteers, suppliers, staff and the general public.”

Meanwhile, all football and rugby games and training at all levels have been postponed, which has affected Plymouth Argyle and Plymouth Albion, while Plymouth Raiders’ BBL season has also been suspended, as has the speedway season and near all other competitive sport.