There are only four months to go before the commencement of the original schedule of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic games. A lot of rumors have been circulating regarding its postponement in view of the continuous upward trend of the novel corona virus.
Recently, the highly contagious corona virus which originated in Wuhan, China has been declared by the World Health Organization as a global pandemic as it has already caused a serious impact on a lot of countries all over the world including Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, among others.
Last March 22, 2020, the International Olympic Committee has already made a public announcement that it is already considering the possibility of a postponement after Canada and Australia have expressed their sentiments that they will not be participating in the games if the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will push through this year despite the global pandemic.
A lot of countries across the globe have already acknowledge the necessity of social distancing as one of the measures that have to be undertaken in order to prevent the further spread of the novel corona virus. The International Olympic Committee has been receiving a lot of pressures from different groups such as the athletes, sponsors and other Olympic Participants.
Thomas Bach, the President of the said committee said that “I know that this unprecedented situation leaves many of your questions open. I also know that this rational approach may not be in line with the emotions many of you have to go through.”
Meanwhile, after said announcement by the International Olympic Committee, Shinzo Abe the Prime Minister of Japan also released a statement during a parliamentary session stating that a postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic games is inevitable if the games will not push through in a complete way due to the global pandemic. According to Prime Minister Abe, “If it is difficult to hold (the Games) in a complete way, a decision of postponement would be unavoidable as we think the athletes’ safety is paramount.”
Reference: Tokyo Olympics seem sure to happen — but in 2021, not 2020
