The FIL will hold meetings of its Commissions by video conference ©FIL

Meetings of all International Luge Federation (FIL) Commissions scheduled for next month will be held by video conference because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The FIL Commissions had been scheduled to meet in-person for their annual gatherings in Germany on the weekend of April 17 to 18.

It has instead been decided to continue with the meetings but to hold them individually by video in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The FIL said the decision had been made in coordination with the chairpersons of the respective expert commissions and Jörg Ellermeyer, who leads the governing body's Medical Commission.

Germany has reported over 6,300 cases of the COVID-19 virus ©Getty Images
Germany has reported over 6,300 cases of the COVID-19 virus ©Getty Images

Sport has gone into near shutdown amid growing international concern over the spread of the virus, which has so far killed more than 6,600 people and infected over 173,000 worldwide.

International Federations have been forced to cancel or postpone numerous events, including Olympic qualifiers and World Championships, because of the virus.

Others have postponed and rescheduled key meetings in light of the outbreak.

Germany, where the FIL is based, has reported 6,215 cases of the virus and 13 deaths.