Canada will not send athletes to Tokyo Olympics and calls for the games to be postponed for 1 year

Canada will not be sending athletes to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo because of the risks associated with the coronavirus outbreak, according to a joint news release from the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee.

The organizations are calling to postpone the Games for one year and say they are backed by their athletes' commissions, national sports organizations and the Canadian government in the decision.

"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," the COC and CPC statement read. "This is not solely about athlete health -- it is about public health."

The coronavirus threat and risks make for an unsafe environment for athletes, their families and the broader Canadian community, the release said.

"We are in the midst of a global health crisis that is far more significant than sport," the release said.

The Australian Olympic Committee also said Sunday that Australian athletes should prepare for the Games to take place in summer of 2021.

IOC says its not canceling the Olympics

Canada's decision comes hours after International Olympic Committee's executive board said it is considering postponing -- but not canceling -- this summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo because of the


id="gwmw-15849330523389911577523">coronavirus pandemic.

The IOC board said it is considering several options to deal with the ongoing outbreak, including modifying plans to allow the 2020 Tokyo Games to begin on schedule on July 24 or changing the start date for the Games.

The IOC executive board ruled out canceling the Games, saying it would "destroy the Olympic dream of 11,000 athletes" and all those who support them, according to a letter to athletes from IOC President Thomas Bach.

The Canadian statement thanked the IOC for saying it would not canceling the games, saying the IOC appreciates the "the importance of accelerating its decision-making regarding a possible postponement."

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that a decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics may be needed if the Games cannot be held in a complete form.

Abe made the remark during a parliamentary session Monday after the IOC announced Sunday that the group has decided to step up scenario-planning for the 2020 Tokyo Games in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic.

IOC faces more pressure to postpone games

The IOC has faced increasing pressure to postpone the Games as people across the world have gotten sick and died from Covid-19. Tracks, gyms and public spaces are closed in much of the world and major qualifying events have been canceled.

Japan Olympic Committee member Kaori Yamaguchi broke ranks on Friday, saying the Games should be postponed because some athletes had been unable to train.

The heads of USA Swimming and USA Track and Field both called for the Olympics to be postponed to 2021 over the weekend.