OBERHOFEN, Switzerland -- Amid a rising number of cases in Japan of the omicron variant of COVID-19, all ski jumping World Cup events in the country this season were canceled Saturday.
Japan on Friday announced it has found a total of 12 omicron cases, including new arrivals from the United States, Mozambique and Democratic Republic of the Congo, and has reimposed a ban on foreign visitors.
The International Ski Federation said the decision to cancel three ski jumping events -- all scheduled less than one month before the Beijing Olympics open Feb. 4 -- was "due to the current COVID-19 regulations."
Sapporo was to host separate men's and women events in January, and Zao would have hosted a women's competition the week after Sapporo.
FIS said it is looking for replacement venues.