Games decision already made, IOC member says

NO official statement has been forthcoming but the Tokyo 2020 Olympics have reportedly been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound said yesterday that the Games would be held at a later date, most likely in 2021. The final details of when the Games – due to start on July 24 – will be held are to be worked out over the next four weeks.

Pound told USA Today: “On the basis of the information the IOC has, postponement has been decided.

“The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the Games are not going to start on July 24, that much I know.

“It will come in stages. We will postpone this and begin to deal with all the ramifications of moving this, which are immense.”

Asked about Pound’s comments, an IOC spokesman said yesterday: “Well, as we announced yesterday, we are looking at scenarios.”

Olympic Committee chairman Thomas Bach said on Monday that he had ruled out cancelling the Games altogether.

The decision to postpone the Olympics comes after intense pressure from competing countries, with Australia and Canada pulling out.

Just last week, World Athletics president and British Olympic hero Seb Coe insisted it was too early to make a decision on the Games.

But coronavirus has continued to spread, decimating the entire sporting calendar.

It will be the first time the Olympics have been postponed.

The 1916 Games were cancelled because of World War I, and the 1940 and 1944 Olympics were called off due to World War II.