International Olympics Committee (IOC) has confirmed the
Tokyo Olympics date come 2021, barely a month after postponement over COVID-19
fears.
The new date will see Olympic games start on 23 July, 2021
and run to 8 August.
IOC executive board said on Monday that tournaments will
still be called Tokyo 2020 despite taking place in 2021.
“I am confident that, working together with the Tokyo
2020 Organizing Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Japanese
Government and all our stakeholders, we can master this unprecedented
challenge,” said IOC president Thomas Bach.
Meanwhile, the Paralympic Games, which were scheduled for 24
August, 2020, have been moved to between 24 August and 5 September, 2021.
International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons said
the games will once unite humanity after the pandemic.
“When the Paralympic Games do take place in Tokyo next
year, they will be an extra-special display of humanity uniting as one, a
global celebration of human resilience and a sensational showcase of sport,”
said Parsons.
He added, “With the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games 512
days away, the priority for all those involved in the Paralympic movement must
be to focus on staying safe with their friends and family during this
unprecedented and difficult time.”
Coronavirus pandemic has halted every sporting activity
across the world, with organizing committees postponing events until a lasting
solution is met.
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