IOC will take Olympics postponement into consideration

With concerns over the viability of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics raised by the coronavirus pandemic, the International Olympic Committee has taken postponement of the event into consideration even facing huge challenges in logistics, broadcasting and disruption of the global sports calendar.

Amid mounting pressure from athletes and national Olympic sports governing bodies, who urged the Tokyo Games to be rescheduled amid the COVID-19 crisis, the IOC acknowledged it has considered all possibilities, including the worst-case scenario – a postponement of the Games - with Japanese organizers, international sports federations and all involved stakeholders for a decision to be made in the next four weeks.

The postponement of the Games, which are scheduled to open on July 24 in the Japanese capital, will be a tough decision to make due to the complexity of all subsequent impacts of the rescheduling, said Thomas Bach, president of the IOC.

"Together with all the stakeholders, we have started detailed discussions today to complete our assessment of the rapid development of the worldwide health situation and its impact on the Olympic Games, including a scenario of postponement," Bach said in an open letter to athletes posted on IOC's official platform athlete365 on Saturday.

"A decision about a postponement today could not determine a new date for the Olympic Games because of the uncertain developments in both directions: an improvement, as we are seeing in a number of countries thanks to the severe measures being taken, or a deteriorating situation in other countries.

"Contrary to other sports events, to postpone the Olympic Games is an extremely complex challenge."

The difficulties the IOC and Japanese organizers potentially face if the postponement happens include the availability of some key Olympic venues in Tokyo during the new window, rebooking of hotel nights already reserved for Games participants and the disruption of at least 33 Olympic sports' future calendars should the rescheduled Olympics overlap with set dates for other events.

"These are just a few of many, many more challenges," said Bach, who won an Olympic gold medal in fencing at the 1976 Montreal Olympics representing Germany.

"It is in light of the worldwide deteriorating situation, and in the spirit of our shared commitment to the Olympic Games, that the IOC Executive Board has today initiated the next step in our scenarios.

"We are working very hard, and we are confident we will have finalized these discussions within the next four weeks."