Global Athlete, the representative body, has praised athletes for their “brave position” in forcing the International Olympic Committee to halt further delay in its decision on Tokyo 2020 after the Games were postponed today for the first time in history. The Games will now be held in 2021.
As the count of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections and victims piles up across the world, the IOC stated at the weekend that it would come to a decision in late April. A 48-hour tidal wave of athlete and federation interventions calling for a postponement until 2021 prompted a rethink and u-turn.
Japan, its Government, Tokyo 2020 organisers and the IOC agreed on a postponement this morning. An announcement came with news that the Games would now be held “no later than 2021”, ending a second uncertainty about the length of delay.
Global Athlete described the decision as “a bittersweet victory for athletes: on one hand their Olympic dreams have been put on hold; on the other hand, athletes have shown their power when they work together as a collective.” It added:
“You are champions on and off the field. You are an inspiration to many.”
The spirit of solidarity among athletes, not just among themselves but with healthcare and other essential workers was summed up by this tweet from the world’s most decorated swimmer among the current competitive crew, Katie Ledecky, of the United States, eight years beyond her first Olympic gold, aged 15 and over 800m freestyle at London 2012.:
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- FINA Breaks Silence: Fukuoka 2021 World Titles In Focus As Tokyo 2021 Shuffles The Deck
- Paralympic Athletes & Committee Welcome Decision To Shunt Tokyo 2020 To Tokyo 2021
- British Swimming & British Olympic Association: Postponement Is The Right Decision
- Commentary on the cusp of U-turn: How Olympic Popes Finished Last In Tokyo 2020 Race
- Jacob Heidtmann: Coronavirus A Chance To Reassess, Find Perspective, Embrace Solidarity
- Jacco Verhaeren’s Message To The Australian Dolphins: “Give Yourself Time And Space.”
The Global Athlete Statement in Full:
Today is a bittersweet victory for athletes: on one hand their Olympic dreams have been put on hold; on the other hand, athletes have shown their power when they work together as a collective.
Athletes from around the globe were clear in their stance that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) must make an immediate decision to postpone the Games and not wait the four weeks as indicated they would need.
At a time when the world is fighting this global pandemic, athletes, as strong global citizens, put their dreams on hold to be a part of the solution in fighting this pandemic.
Global Athlete congratulates all athletes for your brave position. You are champions on and off the field. You are an inspiration to many.
The priority should be to contain this virus. As athletes play their part in self-isolating, we look forward to working with you to further build momentum for athletes’ rights.
While we commend the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees and the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee for coming to this called-for conclusion, they must now engage athletes and athlete groups to be a part of the planning for the forthcoming Tokyo Games. As shown over the past several weeks, no athletes, no Games.