UCLA Olympic Sports: IOC member says 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be postponed due to coronavirus pandemic

The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the sports world as Veteran International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound told the USA Today Sports that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games are going to be postponed, likely to 2021.

While the details are to be worked out over the next four weeks, it’s still a refreshing sign that they’re willing to go into next year to avoid cancelling the Games.

“On the basis of the information the IOC has, postponement has been decided,” Pound said in a phone interview with the USA Today. “The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the Games are not going to start on July 24, that much I know.”

This announcement by Pound came after Canada became the first nation to withdraw from the Olympics had they gone on this year. Pound is a native Canadian and has been the face of the Olympics communication efforts for a long time, especially through the coronavirus’ effect.

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

This is by far the most significant sporting event that has been altered by the coronavirus pandemic as it affects the athletes competing, the coaches coaching, the team assistants and workers, those on site in Tokyo who have built the games new arenas, stadiums and fields, the Olympic committee and so many more. It also affects the universities who have athletes participating both former and current.

UCLA was expected to have several dozen athletes representing the Bruins in this summer’s Games after sending 36 athletes to Rio in 2016. We will closely monitor the announcements and any other breaking news on the 2021 (neé 2020) Tokyo Olympic Games and what it means for potential UCLA athletes.