CORONAVIRUS EFFECT

Tokyo 2020: Olympic Games organisers 'agree postponement'

Organisers agreed to a one-year postponement because of the coronavirus.

In Summary

• Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the International Olympic Committee had agreed to the delay.

by BBC NEWS None
Coronavirus
24 March 2020 - 15:44
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives to talk to the journalists in front of the prime minister's residence in Tokyo, Japan March 24, 2020 after a phone call with IOC President Thomas Bach on postponing the Olympic Games amid growing concerns over the coronavirus. Charly Triballeau/Pool via REUTERS
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives to talk to the journalists in front of the prime minister's residence in Tokyo, Japan March 24, 2020 after a phone call with IOC President Thomas Bach on postponing the Olympic Games amid growing concerns over the coronavirus. Charly Triballeau/Pool via REUTERS

The organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, due to begin on 24 July, have agreed to a one-year postponement of the event because of the global coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the International Olympic Committee had agreed to the delay.

 
 

"I proposed to postpone for about a year and [IOC] president Thomas Bach responded with 100% agreement," Abe said.

 

A one-year delay would also apply to the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Prime Minister 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.

More:

What impact will coronavirus have on the Olympics?

McCloskey said he had been told the first case of coronavirus in Tokyo was detected by the surveillance system set up as part of Olympics planning.
Sports
4 years ago

Japan’s Abe may seek emergency declaration

Coronavirus outbreak will scupper Japan’s dream of hosting the Tokyo Olympics
Sports
4 years ago

Too early to decide on Olympics cancellation, says Coe

The International Olympic Committee has said the Games could still begin on 24 July despite the coronavirus pandemic causing other events to be ...
Sports
4 years ago
Post a comment
WATCH: The latest videos from the Star
by BBC NEWS None
Coronavirus
24 March 2020 - 15:44

Most Popular

  1. Kenya records 55 new cases of Covid-19

    1yr ago Coronavirus

  2. Positivity rate at 3.7% as 82 test positive for Covid-19

    1yr ago News

  3. 30.6% of Kenyans fully vaccinated against Covid-19

    1yr ago Coronavirus

  4. Kenya records 12 new Covid-19 cases, 8 recoveries

    1yr ago Coronavirus

  5. True Covid pandemic death toll is 15 million - WHO

    1yr ago News

Latest Videos

  2. Aerial surveillance deployed in Machakos as tens are rescued in ...

  3. Aerial surveillance deployed in Machakos as tens are rescued in ...