Tokyo Games organisers working towards new date, but virus clouds future

Tokyo Olympics organisers are focusing on their new Games start date in 2021, they stressed on Friday — even if the coronavirus outbreak complicates preparations for the remade extravaganza.

Last month, the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government agreed to postpone the Games, due to start in July this year, to 2021 because of the impact of coronavirus, which has killed over 89,000 people worldwide.

At his first remote news conference on Friday, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto emphasized that Games organisers were aiming towards the new start date of July 23, 2021, regardless of how long it takes to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

“I don’t think anybody would be able to say it is possible to get it (coronavirus) under control by next July or not,” said Muto. “We certainly aren’t in a position to give you a clear answer on that question.

“However, we have made the decision to postpone the Games by one year so all we can do is work hard to prepare for the Games in one year’s time.”

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced a state of emergency on Tuesday and, as of Friday, Japan has recorded over 6,000 cases of coronavirus and 112 deaths, according to NHK. Because of travel restrictions imposed in the wake of coronavirus, Muto also announced that IOC President Thomas Bach’s scheduled visit to Japan in May has been cancelled.

Meanwhile, American swimmers, their quest for Olympic gold delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, will book their trips to next year’s Tokyo Olympics from June 13-20, 2021, USA Swimming announced on Friday.

The US Olympic trials will be staged in Omaha, Nebraska, at the same venue where they were intended to be contested this June before the Tokyo Olympics were postponed due to the global outbreak of the deadly virus.

Dates for the trials are about one week earlier than the original plan for this year.

The Tokyo Olympics are now scheduled for July 23-Aug.8, 2021, almost exactly one year after the original dates.

Five-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky and Caeleb Dressel, coming off an eight-medal performance at the 2019 world championships, are among those qualified for the Olympic trials.

The event schedule for the eight-day, 15-session US swim meet will remain the same as was planned for this year. It will be the lone qualifying method for US pool swimmers for Tokyo, with only the top two in each individual event advancing.

“Fans can expect to witness the same incredible level of competition and entertainment throughout this highly anticipated event,” USA Swimming chief operating officer Mike Unger said.

Ryan Lochte, a 12-time Olympic medalist, seeks a fifth Olympic appearance. He would turn 37 in Tokyo.

So far, 1,213 athletes have qualified to compete at the Olympic trials. Pending health and regulatory approvals, those standards will be accepted for the 2021 meet. New trials qualifying standards will be released before US swim competitions return.

Agencies