Team Canada has decided not to send athletes to the 2020 summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, due to escalating concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) says it has stepped up its scenario-planning for the upcoming Olympics, to determine whether it is worth continuing the event. However, cancellation is “not on the agenda.”
As infection numbers continue to rise worldwide, Canada is calling on both Olympic and Paralympic committees to postpone the games.
Team Canada says it recognizes the “inherent complexities” around postponing the Olympics, but nothing is more important than the health and safety of their athletes and the world community.
Team Canada says the virus must be the paramount concern, and that we are “in the midst of a global health crisis that is far more significant than sport.”
As such, they arrived at the difficult decision to keep Canadian teams grounded at home.
View the complete statement from Team Canada at this link.
