The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Japan Olympic Committee have confirmed the 2020 Summer Games will be postponed, with a plan to reschedule for no later than Summer 2021. A joint statement was released by the IOC and the organizing committee discussing the Tokyo Games.
This decision, supported by the USOPC and USA Cycling, is not an easy or simple choice, and we realize that it will generate a wide mix of emotion. USOPC CEO, Sarah Hirshland, addressed the Tokyo 2020 Postponement in a letter to the Team USA athletes.
We will work diligently to address questions, including potential amendments to selection/qualification criteria, and provide clarifications and support to prepare for the delayed games. This is an unprecedented time in not only sport but global history, and we will have to make decisions based on real-time information and ongoing communication with the UCI, USOPC, and other stakeholders, so we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we navigate this fluid situation.
The health and safety of our athletes is the number one priority. We know our athletes have invested significant energy towards preparing for Tokyo 2020 and realize the additional commitment it will take for them to extend that effort and refocus on a postponed Olympics.
We are committed to supporting the health and well-being of our athletes and are encouraging them to use the resources that are available to them, including USA Cycling’s Well-Being Program. Rob DeMartini, USA Cycling President and CEO, reached out to our Team USA athletes this morning and connected them with Jim Miller, Chief of Sport Performance, and Kelsey Erickson, SafeSport Director, to offer them guidance through this challenging time. We will also create additional resources moving forward to help our athletes navigate this situation.
