On the heels of the announcement by the Canadian Olympic Committee and Paralympic Committee that their athletes would not participate in this year’s Olympic Games in July, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has also revealed a timeline-based statement.
Within the post dated today, March 23rd, the AOC says it held an Executive Board meeting via teleconference this morning and unanimously agreed that an Australian Team could not be assembled in the changing circumstances at home and abroad, should the Games hold for July.
The statement, which you can read in its entirety below, concludes that there are ‘numerous issues that flow from any postponement, from qualification through to logistics on the ground in Tokyo, but that these can be worked through in a timely way.’
‘We have athletes based overseas, training at central locations around Australia as teams and managing their own programs. With travel and other restrictions this becomes an untenable situation.’
In response, Swimming Australia has published its own statement supporting the AOC‘s position on an Australian team being unable to compete in a July Games.
“Swimming Australia has welcomed the acknowledgement by the AOC that an Australian Olympic team could not be assembled in 2020 considering current global circumstances,” reads the statement by chief Leigh Russell.
“Given the current situation worldwide, it has become evident that it is not safe for the Games to be staged in its current time frame,” Russell said.
“Although it’s a devastating prospect for the Games to be postponed, it is the correct decision, as we must focus on our families and our communities at this challenging time.
“We understand our country is experiencing unprecedented circumstances, as are our athletes who are only just starting to digest this news. We’re very conscious of their mental health and wellbeing and will provide support to our athletes, as well as our coaches and staff, through our wellbeing support networks.
“When the time is right, we will look ahead to the planning phase for 2021 but right now our focus must remain on stopping and slowing the spread of COVID-19 and supporting our people.”
Russell also confirmed that the Swimming Australia high-performance programs would also be immediately shut down. This is just 2 days after we reported how most of Swimming Australia‘s elite were among the few athletes worldwide still able to train in the water. That’s how quickly things change.
“It is clear that to stop the spread of COVID-19 we must all follow government advice and practice physical distancing,” Russell said.
“In light of all non-essential services being shut down we will suspend all of our Olympic and Paralympic training programs for the foreseeable future.
“The safety and health of our athletes, coaches, staff, their families and our community, is paramount at the moment.”
Statement by the Australian Olympic Committee
“The AOC says Australian athletes should prepare for a Tokyo Olympic Games in the northern summer of 2021, following the IOC’s announcement of a potential postponement of this year’s Games and changes in public health landscape in Australia and across the globe,” starts the statement presented on its site today, March 23rd.
“The AOC believes our athletes now need to prioritise their own health and of those around them, and to be able to return to the families, in discussion with their National Federations.
The AOC held an Executive Board meeting via teleconference this morning and unanimously agreed that an Australian Team could not be assembled in the changing circumstances at home and abroad.
AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll says athletes have needed certainty – they wanted to do the right thing for themselves, their families and the world community.
“We have athletes based overseas, training at central locations around Australia as teams and managing their own programs. With travel and other restrictions this becomes an untenable situation.
“The IOC had adopted the key principles of putting athlete health first and ensuring it acted in their best interests and the interests of sport. This decision reflects those principles.
“We are now in a position where we can plan with greater certainty.”
“I would like to thank AOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Steve Hooker for his valuable contribution to discussions today and over the last week, representing the views of our athletes,” Mr Carroll said.
Australian Team Chef de Mission for Tokyo Ian Chesterman says he has communicated to athletes after receiving feedback from athletes from more than 25 sports last week.
“It’s clear the Games can’t be held in July. Our athletes have been magnificent in their positive attitude to training and preparing, but the stress and uncertainty has been extremely challenging for them.
“They have also shouldered the burden of concern for their peers around the world. That has been a consistent message to me.”
“While there will still be much to work out as a result of this change, the timing will allow athletes from around the world to properly prepare with the hope the coronavirus crisis will be under control.
“We are aware that for many such a postponement will present a range of new issues. But when the world does come together at the Tokyo Olympic Games they can be a true celebration of sport and humanity.”
Mr Chesterman said there were numerous issues that flow from any postponement, from qualification through to logistics on the ground in Tokyo, but that these can be worked through in a timely way.
Mr Carroll says he will be communicating with National Federations around Australia today to work through the issues now the situation has become clearer.
The olympics are officially postponed
Once UK, Germany, France, and maybe South Korea pull out by the end of this week it will force their hand.
Eastern Europe countries probably won’t due to having small delegations. China, and Russia (although banned) don’t care about public safety they will stay in.
Also the Prime Minister and Japanese government may force it. They wont want outsiders coming in.
Sun yang got banned not all of China???
IOC need to accept the Olympics will not happen in July. Why would Japan, who have controlled the virus incredible well, accept a million people from all around the globe? Chairman of the British Olympic Association was on TV today talking up the idea of postponing too. The wind is well and truly against going ahead.
Good to see countries starting to do the right thing while the IOC contemplates money and scheduling woes.