Many countries across the globe have gone under lockdown in response to the coronavirus outbreak with no clear timeline for a return to normalcy, yet earlier this week, the International Olympic Committee asked athletes to “continue to prepare” for the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics “as best they can.” The IOC said Tuesday in a statement that there is “no need for any drastic decisions” with four months until the Games’ scheduled start date of July 24th – but various leaders and organizations are now calling for the Olympics to be postponed.
A member of the Japanese Olympic Committee said this week that the IOC would be “putting athletes at risk” by continuing with the event as scheduled, and that sentiment has been echoed by USA Swimming, which publicly requested that the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee advocate that the Games should be moved to 2021.
In the statement, USA Swimming noted that many American athletes have had their worlds “turned upside down” by the crisis, and that pushing forward with the Olympics would call “into question the authenticity of a level playing field for all.”
“Our top priority at USA Swimming has been, and will continue to be, the health and safety of our athletes, coaches, staff, volunteers, and other members.As this global pandemic has grown, we have watched our athletes’ worlds be turned upside down and watched them struggle to find ways to prepare and train – many for the biggest competitive opportunity of their lives.Our world class swimmers are always willing to race anyone, anytime, anywhere; however, pressing forward admidst the global health crisis this summer is not the answer.”
USA Swimming respectfully requests that the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee advocate for the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. pic.twitter.com/q5bhUwi05q
— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) March 20, 2020
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