The Tokyo Olympics are being postponed, likely until 2021

Breaking news from the world of sports! Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games will be postponed, likely to 2021. Veteran International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Dick Pound — who maybe should consider going by “Richard”? — shared the news with USA Today this afternoon.

“On the basis of the information the IOC has, postponement has been decided,” Pound said in a phone interview. “The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the Games are not going to start on July 24, that much I know.”

Yesterday, the IOC announced it would decide the fate of the 2020 Olympics over the next four weeks. Since then, Olympic Committees from Canada, Australia, Germany, Norway, Brazil, and the Paralympics all pushed for the event to be postponed. This will be the first time the Olympics have been postponed. The 1916 Summer Games were canceled because of World War I and the Summer and Winter Games in 1940 and 1944 were canceled due to World War II.

Several former and current Kentucky Wildcats were set to participate in the Summer Olympics, including Mary Tucker (rifle), Will Shaner (rifle). Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo had been named to the USA Basketball team’s finalist list, and former UK track star Sydney McLaughlin was also expected to compete.

Tokyo 2021! Let’s do it.

[USA Today]