Tokyo 2020 postponement a decision for humanity -Gumel
The president of Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, Engr Habu Gumel has said the decision by the International Olympics Committee to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympics games was taken for the good of humanity.
The member of International Olympics Committee said going by the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic, hosting the games as scheduled would have endangered the lives of athletes, officials and others.
“It’s very important at this point, to have a rethink about the summer games. We have been engaging ourselves on video calls overtime. That is, the IOC, the Japanese government and the organisers are working hand - in - hand with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to put in place the best for our athletes, officials and guests that will be in Japan but the extent the covid 19 has gotten to is a major concern for all and sundry, hence the postponement”.
Furthermore, Gumel said the NOC remains committed to supporting the sporting federations athletes in the completion of their qualification process.
He charged the therefore charged the federations to continue to work in unity with the NOC for the betterment of all.
The IOC, the Japanese government and the organisers on the backdrop of the advice of the World Health Organisation, WHO, decided that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo be rescheduled to a date not later than summer 202.
This, the IOC said is to safeguard the health of the athletes and create the best possible environment for them to train and participate in the games which is an amalgamation of human culture, spirit and sports.
The games, however, will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.
champion in female wrestling freestyle 57kg, Odunayo Adekuoroye will fly Nigeria’s flag at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics games.