Miss World final postponed after Covid outbreak among contestants

Organisers decide to delay event after discussion with Puerto Rican health officials

Miss World 2021 contestants arrive at their hotel in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. A total of 98 participants competed for the crown. All photos: EPA

From left, Miss France, April Benayoum; Miss Japan, Tamaki Hoshi; Miss Venezuela, Alejandra Conde; and Miss Somalia, Khadija Omar, at the welcoming ceremony.

Miss World 2021 was to be crowned on December 16, 2021, but was finally crowned on March 16, 2022.

Toni-Ann Singh from Jamaica is the longest-reigning Miss World, having held the title since 2019 owing to the pageant being cancelled in 2020.

Miss World Colombia, Andrea Aguilera.

Miss World Bahamas, Sienna Evans, speaks with her companions Miss France, April Benayoum, Miss Japan, Tamaki Hoshi, Miss Venezuela, Alejandra Conde, Miss Somalia, Khadija Omar and Miss Cameroon, Audrey Nabila.

Miss World Puerto Rico, Aryam Diaz.

Miss World 2021 contestants wave the Puerto Rican flag at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico.

The Miss World 2021 beauty contest has been postponed by its organisers because of concerns over coronavirus.

The global broadcast finale was due to take place in Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan on Thursday but has now been pushed back, organisers say.

The event was hit by at least 17 positive Covid test results, with seven "isolated" candidates reported to have possible infections.

This led to more safety measures for the contestants, production team and spectators, which failed to stop the spread of infections.

The Miss World Organisation said it had decided to delay the event after discussions with the Puerto Rican Health Department.

The final would be rescheduled and held in in the same location within the next 90 days, it said.

Contestants and related staff now face "immediate quarantine, pending observation and further testing", and will be allowed to return home when they are cleared by local health officials.

Contestants from 98 countries are taking part in the Miss World contest this year, including Khadija Omar, Somalia's first hijabi candidate.

The annual contest, which was cancelled last year, will mark its 70th anniversary on Thursday.

Last month at the Miss Universe pageant in Israel, Miss France, Clemence Botino, was forced into quarantine for 10 days after she tested positive on her arrival.

“We are living [through] an international crisis. We have to handle it, now the situation made me stronger,” she told the audience.