‘Health and safety paramount’: IOC Board considering postponement amid COVID-19 updates

Matt Fortin

5 years ago

A group of students from Uruguay pose for a souvenir picture on the Olympic Rings set outside the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday, March 21, 2020. The Olympic flame from Greece arrived in Japan Friday, even as the opening of the the Tokyo Games in four months is in doubt with more voices suggesting the games should to be postponed or canceled because of the worldwide virus pandemic. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

(WAVY) — The International Olympic Committee announced Sunday they are considering their options in light of COVID-19 updates.

In a release, the IOC references changing existing plans for the Games to still go ahead on July 24, 2020. It also mentions changes to the start date of the Games.

Cancellation is “not on the agenda”, said the IOC, but a ‘scaled-down’ Games will be considered.

The IOC will, in full coordination and partnership with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Japanese authorities and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, start detailed discussions to complete its assessment of the rapid development of the worldwide health situation and its impact on the Olympic Games, including the scenario of postponement.
International Olympic Committee

Among the concerns of spreading the virus, the commitee cites a number of challenges to be acknowledged as a result of any decisions. To name a few, they include:

Critical venues not being available
Situations with millions of nights already booked in hotels being difficult to handle
Modifying the international sports calendar for at least 33 Olympic sports