USA Swimming has submitted a statement after finding out the news that the International Olympic Committee will push back the Olympic Games to 2021 to ensure the safety of the entire world while the coronavirus pandemic causes events everywhere to be postponed or cancelled.
Many athletes were unable to train during this time while public pools everywhere were closed down to limit the spread of the virus. This caused many to panic to try and find any pool space to ensure they were not getting behind in their training for their respective Olympic Trials.
USA Swimming CEO Tim Hinchey III came forward a couple of days ago to urge the IOC and United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to make a decision regarding the start date of the Games. He has since sent out a letter to USA Swimming members applauding the recent actions that were taken and said that they will work together closely with the USOPC to reschedule the US Olympic Trials to best align with when the Olympic Games are going to be. An official date of the Tokyo Olympics has not been finalized.
Full Statement from USA Swimming:
“In this globally unprecedented time, today’s joint announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 organizers was the responsible, though understandably difficult decision to make. We are incredibly thankful to have stood next to the USOPC, fellow U.S. national sports governing bodies and sport federations around the world in advocating for the health and safety of our athletes, members and their families. All athletes around the world can now focus on what is most important – safeguarding their health and being good global citizens in the wake of this extraordinary pandemic.
“We will work with our athletes, coaches, teams and committees to shift our preparations, and schedule a calendar of events that properly readies our team for 2021. We will work closely with the USOPC on rescheduling the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming to best align with Olympic Games preparations as further details become known.
“Most importantly, we will focus on finding ways to support our 400,000 members and their communities, and strategizing with our more than 3,000 clubs to ensure they are well-placed to come out of this stronger than ever.”
-Tim Hinchey III, USA Swimming Chief Executive Officer
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