USA Track & Field calls for Tokyo Olympics to be postponed

USA Track & Field is calling for the Tokyo Olympics to be postponed due to the worldwide coronavirus outbreak.

The organization sent a letter to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) on Friday requesting that it urge the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to postpone the summer games.

“We certainly understand the ramifications of this request, and the realities of trying to coordinate the logistics of a postponed Olympic Games around the schedules of other athletes, sport federations, key stakeholders … but the alternative of moving forward in light of the current global situation would not be in the best interest of our athletes,” USA Track and Field CEO Max Spiegel wrote.

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— USATF (@usatf) March 21, 2020

USA Swimming also wrote to the USOPC this week asking them to lean on the international body to postpone the games by a year. Both letters noted that their athletes haven’t been able to train as they typically would due to the spread of the virus.

“Everyone has experienced unimaginable disruptions, mere months before the Olympic Games, which calls into question the authenticity of a level playing field for all,” USA Swimming CEO Tim Hinchey said.

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

Over 285,000 people worldwide have been infected by COVID-19 and almost 12,000 have died, according to John Hopkins University. In the U.S., there are over 19,600 confirmed cases and at least 260 deaths.