Port-of-Spain.– Trinidadian authorities canceled next month's inaugural Caribbean Games, saying there was too great a risk of spreading swine flu by hosting the region's athletes and supporters.

According to Minister of Health Jerry Narace, it is recommended rescheduling the week-long event until the flu threat subsides but officials determined it would be too difficult to find another date this year so "postponement will mean cancellation."

At least a dozen participants in a volleyball tournament, including players from the Trinidad and Suriname teams, tested positive for H1N1 influenza after a tournament in Trinidad last week. Narace said the fact that athletes and their delegations had to share rooms was a factor in the spread of the virus.

Trinidad's double Olympic silver medallist sprinter Richard "Torpedo" Thompson and rising 400-meter runner Renny Quow, along with the Cuban boxers and Dominican Republic's volleyballers were expected to be the biggest stars at the games.