Given the events that preceded Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hint that the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games “may” have to be postponed, the first acknowledgment from Tokyo 2020 central that a July Games could be called off was somewhat mute.
The Games have already been called off for July: Canada declared late Sunday “we’re not coming”, Australia, a travel ban and warning from PM Scott Morrison already having forced the same decision, followed through their Monday and told its athletes to prepare for 2021, and the French health minister said he couldn’t see his nation sending a team to Tokyo in July.
Then came news from Australia: all high-performance programs are shut down.
Games over. Even now, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is planning for a decision a month from now – a month beyond the decision nations are taking for it.
Cameron Van Der Burgh added to the reasons why when he revealed that he has been struggling with COVID-19 for two weeks and as a fit, young, athletic man noted the severe impact of the coronavirus and how that is likely to impact athletes and require long-term recovery.
The catch-up by Olympic bosses and Tokyo 2020 organisers will now begin, an International Olympic Committee Executive Board meeting due tomorrow.
First indications are that the process will be much slower than the decision-making rolling out from nations that have made the decision on Tokyo 2020 for the IOC and Tokyo 2020.
FINA, the international federation, is now being asked by leading swimmers and others: what are you doing and how fast are you moving? Take this from Adam Peaty, Olympic 100m breaststroke champion from Britain:
Today, Abe told the Japanese Parliament:
“If the IOC’s decision means it becomes impossible to hold [the Olympics] in a ‘complete form,’ as I have previously said, then a decision may have to be made to postpone them.”
There’s no may about it but Abe assured athletes that their Olympic dreams will survive the coronavirus pandemic when he said that cancellation was “not an option”.
All of that comes as the COVID-19 inflection rate approaches 300,000 around the world, with 13,000 deaths and rising rapidly by the day at what the World Health Organisation (WHO) believes is a moment well shy of the peak.
Meanwhile, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOC) issued the following statement, which doers not call for further action beyond that promised by the IOC so far but does promisee to put athlete safety first:
“The USOPC has complete and total empathy for the athlete community as they manage the terrible stress and anxiety caused by the current lack of certitude regarding the Tokyo Games. We understand that the athletes have concerns about training, qualification and anti-doping controls, and that they want transparency, communication and clarity to the full extent possible. The USOPC has made it clear that all athletes should put their health and wellness, and the health and wellness of the greater community, above all else at this unprecedented moment. At the same time, and as it relates to the Games, we have also heard from athletes that they want the Olympic and Paralympic community to be very intentional about the path forward – and to ensure that we aren’t prematurely taking away any athletes’ opportunity to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games until we have better clarity.
“The USOPC is in constant communication with senior leadership of the IOC and IPC – and they have also expressed that their focus is on the health and well-being of athletes, and communities around the world, and that they will continue to rely on advice from the World Health Organization as they determine if it is necessary to adapt their position as the situation evolves. They believe that it is premature to make a final call on the date of the Games and we believe that we should afford them the opportunity to gather more data and expert advice before insisting that a decision be made. Ahead of the IOC Executive Board meeting next week, the IOC is polling all the NOCs to determine the impacts on training that are occurring. Rest assured we are making your concerns clearly known to them. The USOPC will be leaders in providing accurate advice and honest feedback, and be unfailing advocates of the athletes and their safety, and the necessity of a fair platform for the Games. You have our promise.”