2020 Tokyo Olympics postponed due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Baguio City is not just a haven for artists, but it is also home to many aspiring athletes. Just this year, lady boxer Irish Magno qualified for the Olympics which is set to happen in Tokyo, Japan.

The City of Pines served as Magno’s second home for almost ten years now as she became a member of the Philippine Boxing Team.

Magno, a student of Bachelor of Science in Criminology at the University of Baguio, qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after her match with a young boxer Tajikstan.

2020 Tokyo Olympics postponed

However, due to the growing worldwide concern on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), 2020 Tokyo Olympics has been postponed.

In a phone interview with USA today, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Dick Pound said, “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,” he added.

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

Just this Sunday, March 22, 2020, the IOC announced that in full coordination, it will start discussions with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Japanese authorities and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, to assess the global health situation and its effect on the Olympics. In line with this, the committee is confident of coming up with finalized details in four weeks.

Canada and Australia will not send athletes to the Olympics

The Canadian Olympic Committee has also made an announcement that it will not be sending Canada’s delegates to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics if the games still push through as scheduled this July.

This was followed by the Australian Olympic Committee’s statement saying ‘Australian athletes should prepare for a Tokyo Olympic Games in the northern summer of 2021.’

U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and Athlete’s Advisory Council’s statement on IOC update

On the other hand, in a joint statement, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and Athlete’s Advisory Council (AAC) said, “We remain steadfast in our recommendation that Team USA athletes continue to heed the advice of public health officials and prioritize their health and wellness over all else.”

“At the same time, we are eager to continue to explore alternatives to ensure all athletes have a robust and fulfilling Olympic and Paralympic experience, regardless of when that can safely occur. Together we will find solutions that keep the spirit of the Games alive.”