Current Affairs

In case you missed it: The Tokyo 2020 Olympics is no longer happening.

The Games will, instead, be postponed to 2021 – which shouldn’t come as a surprise, given the current global COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, the Summer Olympics have only been canceled three times, all due to either WWI or WWII. Namely, during 1916 in Berlin, 1940 in Tokyo, and 1944 in London.

2020 is the first time ever the Olympics have been postponed for a different kind of war – one against the novel Coronavirus.

Most people seemed to think that the decision, although clearly disappointing, was the right call for authorities to make. As for the athletes themselves, here is what they think about the postponement:

View this post on Instagram

I agree this is the best decision to be made for everyone at least that the Olympic will not happening this year, as this is for the safety of us all. We may now going through a hard time but ultimately hard time creates strong man, and we will see the sunlight at the end of the tunnel altogether. Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. I will continually to work hard in prepare for my Olympic ⭐ #tokyo2021 #olympic

A post shared by Ng Yan Yee (Wendy) 吴丽颐 (@ng_yanyee93) on Mar 24, 2020 at 11:45pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Tokyo Olympic Games is postponed to next year. I definitely feel relieved as no matter what, health and safety is my priority. Take it as a blessing in disguise, for me to be stronger and better prepare.💪🏽 #olympicgames2020 #olympian #takecareworld #besafe

A post shared by 𝕻𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖑𝖊𝖑𝖆 𝕽𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖓𝖌 (@pandelela) on Mar 24, 2020 at 7:36pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

So they have decided to postpone the Olympics games. For me it was a good call by Japan and IOC. We had a hard situations right now to train and compete. Hope everything will be fine soon. Stay safe everyone.

A post shared by khairulnizam Mohd Afendy (@khairulnizam_afendy) on Mar 24, 2020 at 6:51am PDT

All in all a very wise decision to postpone the Olympics until 2021. I look forward to come back to Japan to defend my Olympic title next year and look forward to witness a wonderful event. I wish everybody good health in these challenging times. pic.twitter.com/jrhsFEe545

— Eliud Kipchoge – EGH🇰🇪 (@EliudKipchoge) March 24, 2020

🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 someone order me a damn pizza I got another year before I gotta be ready for the games 😂😂🤰🏽 https://t.co/yQmI8tUZLV

— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) March 23, 2020

jokes aside I’m so happy the Olympics was postponed. I was vocal for so many days. I’ve had so many calls with athletes who have been in tears trying to train for their ultimate dream but not wanting to jeopardize their health. This was the right thing to do. May the world heal

— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) March 23, 2020

Waited 8 years for this, what’s another 1 in the grand scheme of things? 😅📈💪🏽 As an athlete, it’s heartbreaking news about the olympics being postponed until 2021, but it’s for all the right reasons and the safety of everyone! Hope everyone keeps safe and stay indoors x pic.twitter.com/z0JlgV2efI

— KJT (@JohnsonThompson) March 24, 2020

2x Olympic gold medalist & Delran, NJs Carli Lloyd to @6abc on Olympics Postponement

“It’s bigger than an Olympics. I definitely think it’s the right call. Disappointed… but I think for the safety of everybody, it’s definitely the best thing”@6abc@CarliLloyd#Olympics2020 pic.twitter.com/69MAzL2xzo

— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) March 24, 2020