PARIS -- The 2020 European Athletics Championships, scheduled to take place in Paris from August 25-30, have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced on Thursday.

"After working for several weeks on the various possible options, it was with regret that this decision was made," the organizing committee and French Athletics Federation said in a joint statement.

"In the context of an unprecedented health crisis and while the risks linked to the pandemic are still far from being controlled," the statement wrote,"(we) wanted to adopt a responsible position. This decision demonstrates the need to put human health and the fight against the spread of the virus before any other consideration."

Over 150,000 people have been infected in France and more than 20,000 have died. And French President Emmanuel Macron had announced earlier this week to extend the lockdown in the country to May 11 and all the large gatherings are banned until mid-July.