Tokyo: In an unprecedented move, the International Olympic Committee and Japanese government have agreed to postpone the 2020 Olympic Games, earlier scheduled to begin in Tokyo on July 24, by a year because of the global coronavirus pandemic.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirmed that the IOC had agreed to the delay. “I proposed to postpone (the Games) for a year and (IOC) president Thomas Bach responded with 100% agreement,” he said.
A one-year delay would also apply to the Tokyo Paralympic Games, the BBC reported.
Abe added: “This will make it possible for athletes to play in the best condition, and will make the event a safe and secure one for spectators.”
The agreement comes as the British Olympic Association (BOA) was meeting on Tuesday to discuss the matter.
BOA chairman Hugh Robertson had already said Great Britain was unlikely to send a team to Tokyo this summer.
The Olympics, which has experienced boycotts, terrorist attacks and protests, but has been held every four years since 1948, would be the highest-profile event affected by the virus that has killed thousands and closed sports competitions worldwide.
