The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has accepted the request of the Government of Japan to suspend the Tokyo Olympic Games that were to be held on July 24. Given the serious and difficult situation at the international level, the Olympic Games are postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus.
There have been many voices demanding the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic Games to preserve the safety of the Olympic players and all the fans of the world of sport. Until a few days ago there was still speculation about holding the games at the end of July or delaying it for a few months.
“Cooperate to celebrate the Games as a testament to triumph over infection”
However, this Tuesday the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, announced that “in view of the current conditions, and for the good of all athletes, we have presented a proposal for a postponement of one year, so that they can celebrate safely ”. Shinzo Abe has stated that Thomas Bach, President of the IOC, fully agrees with the decision. Both institutions have agreed “to cooperate to celebrate the Games as a testament to the triumph over the infection.”
Reorganization of World Cups and other competitions
The International Olympic Committee has not yet notified when the games will be held in 2021. Before announcing the next date, it is necessary that they reach an agreement with the large international federations. The World Athletics Championships are scheduled for August 6-15, 2021 in Eugene, United States. Swimming celebrates its World Cup in Fukuoka, Japan, from July 15 to August 1. And for its part, gymnastics has its appointment in Copenhagen from October 18 to 24.
The suspension of the Olympic Games also directly affects the broadcasting rights of the big television networks in the United States and Europe. It is estimated that the Committee received around 3,000 million euros.
The Olympics have been canceled three times previously
Olympic Games are postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus. It is not the first time that an Olympic Games have been canceled by force majeure in the modern era. The First World War caused the suspension of the Games in 1916. And the Second World War in 1940 and 1944. Coincidentally, in 1940 the city chosen for the celebration was Tokyo. The International Olympic Committee decided to change the city chosen when Japan entered combat against China and it was finally held in Helsinki, Finland a year later.
