OLYMPIC REACTIONS

International Olympic Committee officials announced Tuesday the decision to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympics until a date to be determined in 2021. The decision, which was spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, drew reactions from athletes and sports federations across the world:

Lolo Jones (@lolojones)

American hurdler and bobsledder

‘Me waiting for the Olympics to get postponed so I can tell my coach yeah sorry I’m actually not retiring this year and you have to deal with my old ass another 365 days’

Delaney Spaulding (@DelaneyyLyn)

American softball player

‘We are a resilient group. This is just a hiccup in our journey. We will be ready to go for #Tokyo2021’

Tianna Bartoletta (@tibartoletta)

American track and field athlete

‘Not denied. Just delayed.’

Kate Courtney (@kateplusfate)

American cross-country and mountain bike cyclist

‘Our time will come. These dreams are not canceled, they are just on hold for a moment. Hope and heart break can live side by side #tokyo2021 #keepcalm #sparkleon’

Gesa Krause (@GesaFK)

German steeplechase athlete

‘The Olympic Games #Tokio2020 will be postponed due to #COVID–19 I saw it coming, but I simply can’t believe it!’

Adam Gemili (@Adam_Gemili)

British sprinter

‘London 2012 Rio 2016 Tokyo 2021 Thankful to finally have some clarity regarding The Olympic Games. A huge decision but I think the right one for sure. Time to regain, look after each other during this difficult period and go again when the time is right!’

Dafne Schipper (@dafne_schippers)

Dutch track and field athlete

‘Just heard the news that the Olympic Games in Tokyo will be postponed until summer 2021. Needless to say, I was really looking forward and my shape is good at the moment but for now we have to look at the bigger picture and do whatever it takes to beat the corona virus. Let’s hope for the best and let’s make sure we’ll celebrate even harder in 2021!’

Elia Viviani (@eliaviviani)

Italian cyclist

‘Postponing the Olympics to 2021 is the best decision for me. Today we are all struggling with a much bigger problem and although August still seems far away, the security for such a big event was very difficult. So @Olympics see you in 2021! #olympics #tokyo2020’

Sakura Kokumai (@sakurakokumaikarate)

American karate athlete

‘2021 ? No problem. I’ll be ready. #olympics #karatelife #staystrong’