In the difficult times of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, the last thing we need to hear is unsubstantiated news. Everyone is worried and anxious, and that's understandable, but it's best that we try to stay calm and not jump to any conclusions.
IOC member Dick Pound, who speculated on the cancellation of the Olympics back in February, told USA Today that the Tokyo 2020 Games will be postponed. USA Today reports:
‘“On the basis of the information the IOC has, postponement has been decided,” Pound said in a phone interview. “The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the games are not going to start on July 24, that much I know.”’
Pound's statement has sent many media outlets into a frenzy.
Another IOC member, Craig Reedie, told Associated Press that there is a ‘likelihood of postponement’.
Japan Today reports that despite the IOC members voicing their opinion – in Reedie’s case, ‘he was speaking only for himself and not because of any insight provided to him by IOC president Thomas Bach’ – the IOC has the final call on whether or not the Games are postponed. In other words, the postponement of the Games is not confirmed and IOC president Thomas Bach will ‘guide the final decision’.
On Monday March 23, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said postponing the Games was an option and that the IOC will make the final decision. An official statement from Tokyo 2020 said ‘a final decision has not been reached at this time, and discussions will be finalised within the next four weeks.’ They also added that cancellation is not an option at the moment.
Follow updates on the Covid-19 situation in Japan and its impact on the Olympics.
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