Acting ANOC President statement on postponement of Tokyo 2020

Following the joint-decision from the IOC and Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee to postpone Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Acting ANOC President Robin Mitchell issued the following statement:

On behalf of the National Olympic Committees (NOC) family, ANOC expresses its full support to the IOC and Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee for their joint-decision to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

ANOC recognises that this is a very complex situation that has required consultation with many different Olympic stakeholders. However, as the IOC and Tokyo 2020 have made clear with this decision, the health of the athletes and all Olympic stakeholders is the number one priority and surpasses all other considerations.

ANOC welcomes the certainty this decision provides athletes and NOCs who can now plan with the knowledge that the Games will not take place this year but not later than summer 2021. As the leaders of the IOC and Tokyo 2020 commented, the Olympic Games will now serve as a “beacon of hope” for us all to look forward to with optimism as we aim to emerge from these challenging times stronger than ever.

With the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly accelerating around the world, it is very important that all Olympic stakeholders continue to follow the guidance and advice provided by the World Health Organisation and their respective national health authorities.

ANOC offers its deepest sympathies to all those who have been affected by COVID-19 and will continue to offer support to NOCs during these challenging times.