THE Brazilian Olympic committee has called for the 2020 Tokyo Games to be postponed amid this coronavirus outbreak.
The COB has urged organisers to move the Olympics due to be held in Japan this summer, to the same dates in 2021.
The Brazilian Olympic Committee has called on the 2020 Tokyo Games to be postponed to the same dates in 2021 amid the coronavirus outbreakCredit: EPA
The Games are still scheduled to go ahead and are set to start on July 24 until August 9.
But there is growing concern and worry among many including athletes and also USA Track and Field who have expressed their growing concern.
They worry about keeping fit and healthy and being able to take part in qualifying events and competitions ahead of the event, and earlier on Saturday urged for the games to be put on hold.
In a statement which has been posted on the USATF Twitter account, it reads: ”USATF’s top priority has, and will continue to be, the health and safety of our athletes, coaches, staff and volunteer leaders.
”As you know, the Olympic games are only a few months away.
”This is a critical time for our athletes to train and compete, as they seek to put themselves in the best possible position to represent our country.”
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eric Dubost/Pacific Press/REX (10574663b)Credit: REX
They go on to add that the health and safety of athletes remains of top importance, and go on to add: ”Unfortunately, while our world class athletes are willing to push themselves to their athletic limits in pursuit of Olympic success, the likelihood that they will be able to properly train in a safe and adequate environment, and replicate the excellence we have all come to expect, does not appear likely in the midst of this global crisis.
”The right and responsible thing to do is to prioritize everyone’s health and safety, and appropriately recognize the toll of this difficult situation has, and continues to take, on our athletes and their Olympic games preparations.”
Despite admitting to these fears regarding the event, the COB still stressed that it has full confidence in the International Olympic Committee (IOC), but that a move was the best solution.
COB president Paulo Wanderley said: ”The IOC has gone through immense problems before…They know how to overcome these obstacles and the Olympic flame is stronger than ever.”
Brazil hosted the last summer games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
They performed incredibly well, raking up a total of seven gold medals, six silver and six bronze.
They finished 13th in the overall table.
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Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
