No impact on Paris 2024, says organiser
PARIS: The postponement of the Tokyo Olympics due to the coronavirus pandemic will have “no impact” on the Paris Games, which will go ahead as scheduled in 2024, the head of the organising committee Tony Estanguet said on Tuesday.
The 2020 Games were delayed until “no later than summer 2021” by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Japanese Prime Minister Sinzo Abe earlier on Tuesday, but Estanguet said the first postponement of an Olympics during peacetime would not affect the Paris edition, which will now be staged three years after the Tokyo event.
“The 2024 Games will be held in the summer of 2024. There is no impact on the date,” said the three-time Olympic canoeing champion.
The Tokyo Olympics were due to be held from July 24-Aug 9 this year, but it was deemed too dangerous to hold it as planned due to the pandemic.
“It was the best decision for the athletes, for all the players in the Games,” added Estanguet. “I believe that the Games must stay in their place.
“We are really advancing on our own preparation plan. Each situation in the Games are different. We do not have the same infrastructure to build. We are advancing on our schedule independently of that of Tokyo.”