We can confirm authoritatively to you that Tokyo 2020 Olympics have been postponed, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced on Tuesday.
Abe said Japan and the International Olympic Committee came to an agreement during a phone call with the head of the IOC, Thomas Bach, following growing calls for the games to be delayed or canceled because of the concerns around coronavirus pandemic.
The Japanese leader said they have agreed that the games would not be canceled and will be held by the summer of 2021, his office said on Twitter.
“We have agreed to hold Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, at the very latest, by the summer of 2021,” Abe said.
The Olympics is the biggest event yet to be affected by the growing global pandemic. The Olympics was set to run from July 24 through Aug. 9, and the Paralympics from Aug. 25 to Sept. 6.
The IOC has dealt with potential health threats in the recent past, but none so serious that they affected the scheduled timeline.
NBC NEWS
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