The Canadian Olympic Committee pledged not to participate under any circumstances this yearGETTY IMAGES
Officials from Olympic committees in Asia and Australia expect the IOC to "postpone the Tokyo Olympic Games" until '21, with a "formal announcement coming as soon as early this week," according to Scott Reid of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. A source said that those officials pressed to postpone the Games "during a series of calls with IOC officials and Tokyo organizers" this morning in Asia. Reid notes the likelihood that the Games would be postponed came just hours after the IOC yesterday "set a four-week deadline to decide on whether to postpone" the event (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 3/23). Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the Japanese Parliament today that a postponement "would be necessary if the games cannot be held in a complete way." Abe: "If it is difficult to hold (the Games) in a complete way, a decision of postponement would be unavoidable." He added that he hoped the IOC "would announce a decision quickly" (AP, 3/23). In L.A., David Wharton notes it had been speculated that the IOC "might resort to a scaled-down version of the competition or, perhaps, ban spectators," but Abe seemed to shoot that down (L.A. TIMES, 3/23).
CANADA, AUSTRALIA NOT GOING: Both the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Australian Olympic Committee have said they would not send a team to the Tokyo Games if they are held as planned this summer, with the COC pleading for the Games to be postponed by one year. The COC, which pledged not to participate under any circumstances this year, offered its full cooperation with the complex task of postponing the world’s largest sporting event. Also, it said the IOC’s advice to continue training is at odds with public health (Ben Fischer, THE DAILY). In Toronto, Kevin McGran notes the COC's move was "instantly praised by some in the athletic community." The COC indicated that it has the "backing of athletes' commissions, national sports organizations and the government of Canada" (TORONTO STAR, 3/23). In Vancouver, Ed Willes writes the COC made its decision after getting "tired of watching the IOC dither." More countries likely will "follow in the coming days, forcing the IOC into a position it's done its best to avoid" (Vancouver PROVINCE, 3/23). USA TODAY's Nancy Armour write Canada and Australia may be the first to "try and force the IOC’s hand by saying outright they won’t go to a Games this summer, but you can be certain they will not be the last" (USA TODAY, 3/23).
MORE PRESSURE TO POSTPONE: In N.Y., Panja & Futterman note the moves by Canada and Australia come as "pressure has grown for the IOC to postpone the Games, or, at the very least, announce a timeline for a decision." The Norwegian Olympic Committee on Friday "became the first to state a clear preference for the Games to be delayed until the global pandemic can be brought under control." The Brazilian Olympic Committee on Saturday "endorsed postponing the Games until 2021" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/23). USA TODAY reports that 70% of 125 U.S. athletes who participated in a virtual town hall on Saturday "supported a postponement" of the Games, with another 23% "saying it would depend on the consequences." Forty-one percent of the participants "did not support the Games going ahead as scheduled this summer" (USA TODAY, 3/23). In N.Y., Futterman & Ward report more than 4,000 global track and field athletes from six continents participated in another poll and 78% of them "said the Summer Games should be postponed." Another 87% said that the coronavirus outbreak "had adversely affected their training" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/23). ESPN's Trey Wingo said of the IOC, "Let’s be honest, they’re just delaying the inevitable” ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 3/23).
ONE ATHLETE'S THOUGHTS: U.S. Olympic pole vaulter Sandi Morris was glad the IOC announced their four-week deadline, as athletes have "kind of been in the dark as to why they haven’t said anything yet.” Morris said, "We’re over here trying to train and none of us have facilities, so it’s nice to hear something.” She said the IOC's messaging about how athletes should continue to train means the organization is "basically asking us to put ourselves and the rest of the world in harm’s way by trying to go out and find facilities.” Morris: "Postpone it until next season at the same time. A 12-month postponement, because then that would still allow all of the athletes to have our usual cycle” ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 3/22).
COLUMNISTS CHIME IN: In N.Y., Mike Vaccaro writes under the header, “IOC Must Face Coronavirus Reality And Postpone 2020 Olympics.” Vaccaro: “Sometimes, the right thing is simply obvious” (N.Y. POST, 3/23). In Minneapolis, Jim Souhan writes, “Logic dictates that the Games be postponed until the summer of 2021. It would be criminally stupid to hold them this summer, during a worldwide pandemic. Holding them this winter wouldn’t make any sense either” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/23). In Detroit, John Niyo: “It’s only a matter of time. And right now, it’s time for Olympic leaders to do the right thing” (DETROIT NEWS, 3/21). In Honolulu, Ferd Lewis: "We're at the point where the International Olympic Committee and the hosts need to seriously move on the Plan 'B' or 'C' and prepare for the possibilities of 'D' and 'E' as well" (HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER, 3/21). In DC, Sally Jenkins: “Call the Olympics off. It’s time. The Tokyo Games cannot possibly go forward without jeopardizing people all around the world. … A hard shutdown is the responsible thing to do, and anything less is negligent, maybe even lethally so” (WASHINGTON POST, 3/21). In Denver, Mark Kiszla wrote, “Any notion athletes should jump in the pool or run around the track four months hence, all for the benefit of the International Olympic Committee’s greed, seems to be pure folly, not to mention socially irresponsible” (DENVER POST, 3/22).
BACH MISSING IN ACTION: USA TODAY's Christine Brennan writes Olympians need IOC President Thomas Bach "to be a leader at this crucial moment in history." Instead, they have found someone who "failed to rise to the challenge of the moment." Brennan: "When Bach finally got around to sounding like he was aware of what was going on just a few days ago, then issuing his statement Sunday, it was too late. He already has lost the athletes" (USA TODAY, 3/23).
