( Reuters) – Response to Canada’s boycott of the 2020 Tokyo Games due to issues about the coronavirus.
A man takes a picture of the Giant Olympic rings at the waterside area at Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo, Japan, March 6,2020 REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
REMARKS FROM OFFICIALS
Declaration from Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Paralympic Committee (CPC):
” The COC and CPC urgently call on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to postpone the Games for one year and we offer them our full assistance in assisting navigate all the complexities that rescheduling the Games will bring.
” We are in the midst of a global health crisis that is far more substantial than sport.”
Canada’s chef de mission Marnie McBean stated in a letter to professional athletes: “Please remember we are all in this together as Team Canada, and as a country. The key is for the Olympics to happen when it is safe and accountable for everybody.”
Marc-Andre Fabien, president of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, said in a declaration: “We are alleviated that cancelling the Games is not a factor to consider, but we feel that a four-week timeline on a decision is not soon enough, and that a 1 year post ponement of the Games is really the only choice.”
Australian Olympic Committee statement:
” The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) states Australian athletes ought to prepare for a Tokyo Olympic Games in the northern summer of 2021, followin