Coronavirus: Norway's Olympic committee formally asks IOC to cancel Tokyo Olympics

Nathan Williamson

Coronavirus: Norway's Olympic committee formally asks IOC to cancel Tokyo Olympics image

Norway's Olympic Committee has formally requested the IOC to cancel the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

The Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee made the request in a letter to IOC President Thomas Bach on Friday, pleading that the Games should not be held until the pandemic is under control.

"The Norwegian Sports Federation and the Olympic and Paralympic Committee (NIF) today sent a letter to President Thomas Bach of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)," they said in a statement.

"The NIF asks the IOC that the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are not conducted until the pandemic situation is under control. 

"At the same time, NIF asks for insight into the key milestones leading to a final decision for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics."

Sports president Berit Kjøll believed that it wasn't safe to send athletes for the Olympics and Paralympics with extreme measures and the threat of the virus still present.

"The Norwegian NOC is concerned about the COVID 19-pandemic and the public health situation both nationally and internationally," he wrote to Bach in the letter.

"On the 12th of March, the Norwegian Government introduced a number of containment measures with regards to the COVID-19 virus.

"One of the measures taken, on the basis of national diseases prevention legislation, is a ban on organized sports activities. This is indeed a very challenging time for the sports movement in Norway, but we are determined to prevail.

"Our clear recommendation is that the Olympic Games in Tokyo shall not take place before the COVID-19 situation is under firm control on a global scale."

This view was shared by USA Swimming CEO Tim Hinche, who called for the event to be pushed back to 2021.

"Everyone has experienced unimaginable disruptions, mere months before the Olympic Games, which calls into question the authenticity of a level playing field for all," he said.

"Our athletes are under tremendous pressure, stress and anxiety, and their mental health and wellness should be among the highest priorities.

"It is with the burden of these serious concerns that we respectfully request that the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee advocate for the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 by one year."

Despite this plea, AOC Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman revealed during the week that there were no contingency plans in place to postpone the event, admitting that the event would either go ahead or be cancelled.

There are two possibilities, the Games proceed or the Games are cancelled," Chesterman said.

"[Postponement] has not been talked about in any of the Olympic circles, and the host city contract considers hosting the Games and cancelling the Games."

 

Nathan Williamson