It’s official: Canada and Australia withdraw from the 2020 Olympics

Canada announced on March 23 that they will no longer send their athletes as representatives to the 2020 Olympic Games set to commence in Tokyo due to the risk of global pandemic COVID-19.

Likewise, Australia also withdrawn from associating their countrymen to the world-renowned event in a separate statement.

They also proposed that the Olympics be postponed until next year as a safety precaution during this outbreak.

Canada: It is about public health

According to the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee said in a joint statement made last Sunday, “While we recognize the inherent complexities around a postponement, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our athletes and the world community. This is not solely about athlete health — it is about public health.”

Given the changing circumstances across countries, it’s clear that holding the Games this July is nearly impossible. Furthermore, a teleconference held by the Australian Olympic Committee cleared out their stand about the issue. Athletes “need to prioritise their own health and of those around them, and to be able to return to the families.”

These news put a lot of pressure to the International Olympic Committee’s executive board. Prior to this, the committee ruled out that cancelling it would “destroy the Olympic dream of 11,000 athletes.”

Let’s await the next announcements!