Olympics-Brazil calls for Tokyo Games to be pushed back to 2021
- Country:
- Micronesia
The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) called for this year's Tokyo Olympics to be suspended because of the coronavirus on Saturday and proposed they be held on the same dates in 2021.
Athletes are worried about keeping fit and being able to compete in qualifying events and other competitions ahead of the scheduled Games from July 24-Aug. 9. "As an ex-judoka and coach in the sport, I learned that every athlete's dream is to go to the Olympics in top form," said COB president Paulo Wanderley.
"It's clear that right now maintaining the games for this year will impede this dream from being fully realised." The COB stressed it still had full confidence in the IOC but said a move was the best solution.
"The IOC has gone through immense problems before, with the episodes that ended in the cancellation of the Games in 1916 and 1940 and 1944, because of the world wars, and the boycotts of Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984," Wanderley said in a statement posted on the COB website. "They knew how to overcome these obstacles and the Olympic flame is stronger than ever."
Brazil hosted the last summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. The South American nation had its best ever performance, finishing 13th in the medals table with seven golds, six silvers and six bronzes.
United States Track and Field called for the Olympics to be postponed earlier on Saturday. (Writing by Andrew Downie in London, editing by Ed Osmond)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- IOC
- Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro
- South American
- London
- Los Angeles
ALSO READ
Brazil court suspends criminal lawsuits against former Vale CEO over dam collapse
Hamleys expands Italian footprint: Second flagship store opens in Rome in partnership with Giochi Preziosi
Shares of IOC, BPCL, HPCL tumble
Eris acquires commercial rights of Biocon Biologics' India branded formulations biz for Rs 1,242 cr
World Bank to promote sustainable family farming in rural areas of Piaui in Brazil