Canada "Will Not Send Delegation to Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics... Requests 1-Year Postponement"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Canada has announced its intention to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics scheduled for July, citing risks related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). As the International Olympic Committee (IOC) plans to hold a four-week meeting to discuss the possibility of postponing the Tokyo Olympics, this decision draws attention amid growing demands from governments worldwide for postponement or cancellation due to concerns over athletes' health.

According to CNN and other outlets on the 22nd (local time), the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) issued a statement urging the IOC, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) to urgently postpone the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics by one year. They also pledged to support efforts to resolve issues arising from the postponement.

The COC and CPC acknowledged the complex issues involved in postponing the Olympics but emphasized that nothing is more important than the health and safety of athletes and people worldwide. They stressed that this is not only a matter of athletes' health but a public health issue. Highlighting the potential impact on athletes, their families, and Canadian society as a whole, they added that the world is facing a global health crisis more important than sports.

Canada's announcement came after the IOC declared it would begin detailed discussions, including the possibility of postponing the Tokyo Olympics, and aim to reach a conclusion within four weeks. In a statement released following an emergency executive board meeting, the IOC said it would collaborate with the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee, Japanese authorities, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to complete an impact assessment of the rapidly changing global health situation on the Olympics, including scenarios involving postponement, while excluding cancellation from the agenda.

IOC President Thomas Bach also sent a letter to athletes explaining the IOC's approach. In the letter, he stated, "Our primary principle has been to protect the health of everyone involved and contribute to virus containment," adding, "At the end of this dark tunnel, the Olympic flame will be burning."

Despite the IOC's announcement, calls worldwide to postpone or cancel the Tokyo Olympics are growing louder. Following Canada, the Australian Olympic Committee reportedly advised its athletes to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for summer 2021. On the 21st, the Norwegian Olympic Committee sent a letter to the IOC proposing to delay the Tokyo Olympics until the COVID-19 situation stabilizes, and on the same day, the Brazilian Olympic Committee also advocated for a one-year postponement of the Tokyo Olympics.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.