Many athletic enthusiasts have been wondering about the current status of the 2020 Olympic Games amid the paranoia and fear of the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement released on Tuesday, March 4 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), athletes have been encouraged to continue training ahead of the Games.
Japan’s Olympic Minister, however, has said that the Games may be postponed from summer until later in the year. The rules of the Olympics stipulate that while the Games can be postponed, it must still take place in 2020.
“We are doing all we can to ensure that the Games go ahead as planned,” minister Seiko Hashimoto said in Japanese Parliament.
“A joint task force had already been created in mid-February, involving the IOC, Tokyo 2020, the host city of Tokyo, the government of Japan and the World Health Organization (WHO). The IOC EB appreciates and supports the measures being taken, which constitute an important part of Tokyo’s plans to host safe and secure Games,” the Committee said. “The IOC EB heard a report on all the measures taken so far to address the coronavirus situation, which was followed by a comprehensive discussion.”
All participating athletes have been encouraged to continue training for the 2020 Olympic Games, they have been assured that they will be updated accordingly via the Athlete365 website.
A number of very high-profile sporting events have been cancelled or postponed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, including the World Athletics Indoors Athletics Championships and the Chinese Grand Prix.
Picture: Twitter
