2020 Summer Olympics To Be Postponed Amidst Wuhanvirus Outbreak

The head of track and field's world governing body, Lord Sebastian Coe wrote to IOC president Thomas Bach requesting that the Games be postponed.

The Prime Minister of Japan  Shinzo Abe, the host of the summer event has also said he is considering postponement.

The International Olympic Committee, IOC, said they may move the Games from its July 24th start date but outright cancellation “is not on the agenda.”

IOC Head Thomas Bach addressed this recently in an open letter. He wrote:

• Thomas Bach wrote: “We have started detailed discussions to complete our assessment of the rapid development of the worldwide health situation and its impact on the Olympics, including a scenario of postponement. We’re working very hard and we are confident that we will have finalised these discussions within the next four weeks. Our basis of information today is that a final decision about the date of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 now would still be premature. We are in a dilemma. Cancellation of the Games would destroy the Olympic dream of 11,000 athletes from all 206 National Olympic Committees. Cancellation would not solve any problem and would help nobody. Therefore it is not on our agenda.”

Wuhanvirus outbreak has led to cancellations and postponements of sporting events around the world - from entire NBA season in US to Champions League matches in Europe.