Skip to content

Richmond's Dolphin Classic axed due to pandemic

Another one of Richmond’s summer staples – the Dolphin Classic basketball tournament – has been cancelled due to the pandemic.
2019 Dolphin Classic_2

Another one of Richmond’s summer staples – the Dolphin Classic basketball tournament – has been cancelled due to the pandemic.

More than two weeks after soccer’s Nations Cup was axed for the same reason, the Dolphin Classic organizers announced on their Facebook page Sunday that they had no choice but to cancel for the first time in 35 years.

The tournament, along with the Nations Cup, attracts thousands of top players and spectators to the courts in Richmond, which takes place at various locations throughout the city in July.

A statement from tournament organizers said that their tournament committee is “regretfully cancelling our annual July event.

“Due to the ongoing challenges of Covid-19 and in accordance with all public health authority directives, we have determined that it's in the best interest of all involved to cancel our summer hoops tradition this year.

“The safety of the athletes, referees, volunteers, vendors, spectators and everyone who attends and supports the tournament, has to be first and foremost always.”

Organizers added that “Hopefully in 2021 we’ll all be planning and playing together again. We look forward to an even bigger and better reunion of all the wonderful people in the local hoops community.

“Until then, we will miss seeing everyone, please stay in touch and feel free to drop us a message here on FB (Facebook) to let us know how you are

“(We’re) super grateful to everyone that helps make the Dolphin tourney so much fun. We thank you all very much for over 3 decades (and counting) of support . Please be safe, strong and kind during these difficult times. Take good care.”