Eurovision song contest canceled due to coronavirus -organizers

AMSTERDAM - The Eurovision song contest will not take place this year in Rotterdam due to the global coronavirus outbreak, organizers said.

"It is with deep regret that we have to announce the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam," they said in a statement.

"It is impossible to continue with the live event as planned."

Rotterdam is hosting this year's song contest after its entry last year, "Arcade" by Dutch singer Duncan Laurence, won the competition in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Now on its 65th edition, the Eurovision is considered to have launched the international careers of the likes of French-Canadian superstar Celine Dion, who was then 20 years old when she won the grand prize representing Switzerland in 1988; and Swedish pop group Abba, which also won the contest in 1974 with the song "Waterloo."

Other famous singers who have participated at the Eurovision are Olivia Newton-John (1974), Cliff Richard (1968), t.A.T.u. (2003), Blue (2011) Engelbert Humperdinck (2012), Bonnie Tyler (2012), Nicky Byrne from Westlife (2016), and Michael Ball (1992). - Reuters