Tokyo Olympics postponed, likely to 2021, IOC member Dick Pound says

Authored by syracuse.com and submitted by GhostOfLight
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The 2020 Summer Olympics are being postponed, according to longtime International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound.

Pound told USA Today on Monday that the Tokyo Olympic Games will likely be postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Details and logistic, including a possible rescheduled date, will be worked out in the next four weeks.

“The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the Games are not going to start on July 24, that much I know," Pound said. "We will postpone this and begin to deal with all the ramifications of moving this, which are immense.”

The IOC first said it was considering a postponement on Sunday after several Olympic teams, including Canada and Australia, said they would refuse to send athletes if the games are scheduled this year. Sponsors, broadcasters, more than 200 national Olympic committees and international sports federations offered similar pressure.

“I know that this unprecedented situation leaves many of your questions open,” IOC President Thomas Bach said in a letter to athletes. “I also know that this rational approach may not be in line with the emotions many of you have to go through.”

Others urging postponement included a board member of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the USA Track and Field chief and the CEO of USA Swimming.

USATF CEO Max Siegel said the sports that accounted for 65 of America’s 121 medals and 175 of its 554 athletes at the last Summer Games are on record in urging “the USOPC, as a leader within the Olympic Movement, to use its voice and speak up for the athletes.”

“The (IOC) ... has not shown the leadership we Olympians desire out of those who are in charge,” added Steve Mesler, a USOPC board member and Olympic champion bobsledder.

The Olympics were set to open on July 24 with 11,000 athletes. The Paralympics were scheduled for Aug. 25 with 4,400.

Other sports events and leagues that have been postponed or canceled include the NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS.

PFalcone33 on March 23rd, 2020 at 20:41 UTC »

Must’ve been a hard decision for him.

MumbaiMoonpie on March 23rd, 2020 at 18:57 UTC »

I’m waiting to get an official statement from Ben Dover before I believe anything

wade822 on March 23rd, 2020 at 17:57 UTC »

I’m just here for the name