International Federations stand together in support of decision to postpone Olympics

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 21: The Olympic rings are seen outside the New National Stadium in Tokyo on January 21, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 21: The Olympic rings are seen outside the New National Stadium in Tokyo on January 21, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
2020 Getty Images

The International Sports Federations have been united in their support for the decision to move the Olympic Games to 2021 due to the ongoing fight against COVID-19. Here are some of the reactions to the news from across the sporting world.

The World Baseball Softball Confederation stated that "While the postponement is heartbreaking for athletes -- and our baseball and softball players -- around the world, the ‘Tokyo 2020’ Games in 2021 can be a symbol of global recovery and solidarity, and be one of the greatest worldwide celebrations and most anticipated moments in the history of sport."

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Olympic #Baseball, #Softball and the #Tokyo2020 #Olympics have been postponed to 2021. The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) welcomed the difficult joint decision today of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and Japan Prime Minister Abe Shinzo to postpone the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 to a date no later than the summer of 2021. The IOC stated that the Tokyo 2020 Games will be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community. Said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari: "The WBSC welcomes and fully supports the joint decision taken by the IOC, Tokyo 2020 and Japan Prime Minister Abe Shinzo to postpone the start of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “While the postponement is heartbreaking for athletes -- and our baseball and softball players -- around the world, the ‘Tokyo 2020’ Games in 2021 can be a symbol of global recovery and solidarity, and be one of the greatest worldwide celebrations and most anticipated moments in the history of sport. "The WBSC stands in solidarity with the Olympic Movement during this difficult time and will work closely with the IOC to manage the completion of the Olympic qualification process for baseball, which now has more time to be conducted, providing an equal opportunity for the teams and their players.”

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The International Handball Association expressed their belief that the Games will prove to be a 'beacon of hope', while looking forward to a celebration of the Olympic spirit in 2021.

World Athletics's said simply "See you in 2021" while urging people to stay home and stay entertained by watching athletics.

The Fédération Equestre Internationale called on the spirit of the sport, pointing to athletes who know how to "hold on when things get rough... dust ourselves down, stand back up & keep on going."

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To our athletes, our fans & our whole community, ⠀ To say these are tough times is an understatement & while we are as disappointed as you are, it’s the right decision & sometimes difficult decisions need to be made to protect us all. But, we equestrians know how to hold on when things get rough & we know how to dust ourselves down, stand back up & keep on going. So that is what we will do. Let’s focus on our communities & loved ones as we work together to get through these times, supporting each other every step of the way. ⠀ There is no doubt, when the time is right we will celebrate our sport with the whole world. ⠀ @tokyo2020 – we will be ready. 💪 #Tokyo2020 #Olympics #Paralympics ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ©️📸FEI/ @richardjuilliart

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The International Weightlifting Federation promised to "stand in solidarity with our athletes and fans through this challenging time" while applauding the the joint decision of the IOC and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee.

The message of the UCI was to focus on overcoming the global crisis and then, when the time is right, celebrating Tokyo 2020.

For the International Surfing Association, the message for surfers around the world was to "paddle harder" so that we can all look forward to "the best Olympic Games ever, in 2021."

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A statement on behalf of ISA President, Fernando Aguerre regarding the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. "The ISA fully supports the joint decision by the IOC Executive Board and Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee to postpone the Olympic Games. There is no question for me that this is a wise decision, which puts the health and well-being of every single athlete, fan, member of staff and the general public as first priority. “As surfers, we are used to being flexible, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Practicing our sport in the ocean, in a natural environment, we are used to changing conditions in life. Now is the time for all of us to paddle harder for this wave, and to look ahead with purpose and conviction. Together we will beat this virus, and we will celebrate that victory with the best Olympic Games ever, in 2021. “We are committed to working with our partners in Tokyo and at the IOC to finding sensible and responsible solutions to any situation that might come. We remain convinced that with our collective efforts and determination, the Tokyo Olympic Games – and especially Olympic Surfing - will go on, in due time, to give the world great reasons to celebrate.”

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And the World Anti-Doping Agency also threw their support behind the postponement of the Games, highlighting that the decision is a "sensible" one.

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