PARIS - FIBA European on Wednesday announced the cancellation of all the continental basketball championships planned for this summer as a reaction to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision was made following a video conference chaired by FIBA Europe president Turgay Demirel, with FIBA president Hamane Niang and some other senior members of FIBA.

"Taking into consideration the critical and extraordinary situation across Europe resulting from the pandemic and in order to protect the health and safety of young players, coaches, officials and fans, the Board decided, because of the high volume of events, to cancel all 16 of this summer's FIBA European Championships as well as the Women's Summit in Postojna, Slovenia," FIBA Europe said in a statement.

Another meeting will be held on Thursday to discuss the changing of the international calendar in 2021 and to propose the postponement of the Euros 2021 senior men (from August to September) and women (June) since the Tokyo Olympic Games have been rescheduled from 2020 to 2021.

"This proposal would then be submitted to the national Olympic committees before any decision is taken," said the FIBA Europe.