In a video conference meeting between the leaders of the G20 countries on Thursday, they welcomed the decision of Tokyo Games postponement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC had announced the rescheduling of the Olympics on Tuesday in the wake of Coronavirus pandemic. The G20 countries in their emergency video conference discussed on the Olympics and extended support to IOC’s decision.
In their official statement they said, “We value the efforts to safeguard our people’s health through the postponement of major public events, in particular the decision by the International Olympic Committee to reschedule the Olympic Games to a date no later than summer 2021. We commend Japan’s determination to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 in their complete form as a symbol of human resilience.”
IOC President Thomas Bach appreciated the gesture and said,”It is a great encouragement for Japan and the IOC, and their joint commitment to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, to have this significant support of the world’s leaders by a joint G20 statement. Humankind currently finds itself in a dark tunnel. These Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 can be a light at the end of this tunnel.”
The Tokyo-bound games have been deferred until the 2021 summer.