A joint statement read, "The leaders agreed that the Olympic Games in Tokyo could stand as a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times and that the Olympic flame could become the light at the end of the tunnel in which the world finds itself at present." So, the flame will remain in Japan for the time being, and the 2020 Games will keep the name "Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020."
This decision was made, of course, with the safety of the athletes, those involved in organizing the Olympics, and the rest of the world in mind. There's still a lot we don't know about how exactly this unprecedented move will play out. Some athletes already qualified — like Carissa Moore and Caroline Marks for surfing — while others were set to attend (or attempt to qualify for) Olympic trials this coming June in sports like gymnastics, track and field, swimming, and others. Ahead, check out some reactions from Olympic hopefuls or Olympic-bound athletes so far.
Kokumai, the first American to qualify for karate in the Olympics, wrote via Instagram on March 23 about her long and difficult journey to get to where she is today. "This was not an easy road. It was lonely, things were uncertain. 21 international competition over the course of two years. Traveling and training alone, walking into the ring alone," she wrote. "Many uncertainties now, but we will get through this. Just need to focus on what we can control and keep working towards our dreams."
Coburn, a two-time Olympian in the steeplechase and pro runner for New Balance, tweeted the following: "Our dreams aren't cancelled, they are just postponed. Looking forward to dreams coming true for athletes everywhere in 2021 Red heart #Tokyo2021."
Hurd, the 2017 World all-around champion and a contender for the four-person Olympic gymnastics team, wrote on Twitter on March 23, "although i am upset that the olympics will not be happening this year, i agree that this is the best decision in order to keep the athletes and spectators healthy and to prevent the virus from spreading further."
Stewart, a forward for Seattle Storm, 2018 WNBA Most Valuable Player, and a member of the USA women's national basketball team, tweeted a simple message: "Tokyo 2020 (2021)."
Schweizer, six-time NCAA champion and pro runner for Nike, wrote on Twitter, "Welp...I guess I've never really had perfect vision anyway #2020vision #2021vision? However, in all seriousness, this is a really hard subject to talk about right now." She continued, "Nevertheless, the Olympics brings the world together and even if that doesn't happen this year, I have hope that when it does happen, it will just make it all even more special. As for now, the work continues and even though there's many obstacles, I'm still going to work just as hard to shoot for more moments like this in the future." She posted a similar message to Instagram.
6 / 22
Oksana Masters, Para-Cycling
Image Source: Getty / Harry How
"2021, lets do this," Masters, an eight-time Paralympic medalist aiming for a spot on the para-cycling Olympic team, wrote on Twitter. She finished off the podium for cycling in the 2016 Paralympics and took home five combined Nordic and biathlon medals from the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang. Masters explained that training for her winter competitions as well as the Olympics will be a challenge (hence, coffee). "I'll be honest, training between @Tokyo2020 &!@ParaSnowSports [sic] Nordic/Biathlon's world champs my coffee game is REALLY going to have to step up. You can only achieve big goals if you are healthy and safe. Control what you can #PlayInside #playfortheworld."
Lloyd, a two-time World Cup and Olympic champion, was awaiting to hear if she'd make the final Olympic roster this June. She told Action News, "This is bigger than sports. It's bigger than an Olympics, and I think it was definitely the right call. Disappointed . . . you obviously are looking forward to this, as all the other athletes are around the world, but I think for the safety of everybody, it's definitely the best thing." She also tweeted that the silver lining is having more time to prepare.
Kovacs, who won a silver at the Rio Olympics and is coached by his wife, Ashley, wrote on Twitter, "I want to to [sic] compete against the best when their [sic] at their best, not when they have been training under unsuitable circumstances. Smart decision by the IOC to postpone The Olympic Games. For now, let's focus on reestablishing the worlds [sic] health and safety."
Ledecky, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and the most decorated woman athlete of Rio 2016, posted on Twitter, "As we stand together to meet today's challenges, we can dream about a wonderful Olympics in a beautiful country. Now is the time to support all those working to heal the sick and keep us all healthy."
"If you message me or text my phone from here on, I ask that it not be words of apology, let it be words of affirmation," a statement posted on Twitter on behalf of Gillete, a four-time Paralympic medalist and three-time long jump world champion, read. "'You getting that [gold].' There's an additional year to train. Bring it!"
Lee, who won silver on floor and bronze on bars at 2019 Worlds, wrote on Instagram that she's "upset to say the least." She continued, "I agree this is the best decision to be made for everyone that has been affected by the virus. Looking forward to what 2021 has in store for myself and everyone else . . . times like this are hard but we will all get through it together, hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!"
Kipp, an Olympian in the steeplechase in 2012, wrote a long message on Instagram. She quoted teammate Emma Coburn and wrote, "Right now the focus needs to be on our communities. Do your part, stay home. Run alone. Run early (I'm trying to cut down forest foot traffic by running at 7am). Minimize the times you need to go to the grocery store (yep that means planning out meals in advance). Offer a helping hand (from a distance) if you can. Our landlord is in her mid 70s. We've let her know we're happy to run to the store for her if she needs. The Olympics are a symbol for peace and togetherness. The Olympics will bring us all back together next year." Kipp also posted a message on Twitter.
Osterman, a pitcher for the US women's softball team, said on NBC Sports, "Softball has been waiting 12 years, so now it's going to be 13. But at the same time, when you have this dream at your fingertips, I think you'll do anything to make sure it happens, so I know we're all going to come together and devote our time and our training to make sure we're in the top shape, and whenever the date's announced we'll put that as our target date . . ."
Infeld, a 2016 Olympian and member of Bowerman Track Club, wrote on Twitter and Instagram, "Postponed, not cancelled. Thankful for the decisions made. Global health and safety are what is most important right now."
Riley is a member of the US Olympian marathon team, having qualified in February at the Olympic trials. This is his first time qualifying, and he posted a lengthy message on Instagram that read, in part, "Even though I've been mentally preparing myself for Olympic postponement for the past couple weeks, it's still pretty gutting to see it made official. Not because of the decision, I think it's the right call, but because the decision had to be made at all, that there's do [sic] much danger and disruption for so many people."
In Fall 2019, Courtney became the first American woman to win the World Cup series for cross-country mountain biking in 17 years. She's also already qualified for the Olympics, and she posted on Instagram the following message: "Thinking of all the Olympians today and of everyone who is struggling to balance hope and heart break in a time of uncertainty that goes far beyond any athletic competition. Keep moving and keep believing." Courtney wrote a piece about the postponement for The Wall Street Journal, which you can read in full here. The final line is a great one: "Hope and heartbreak can live side-by-side."
Carey, who specializes in floor and vault and was on her way to qualifying as an individual — separate from the four-person gymnastics team — at Tokyo 2020, wrote on Instagram of the postponement, "I 100% understand it had to be done for our health and safety. Sending all of my love to every single athlete affected by this. We will get through this."
Spaulding, who plays infield for the US women's softball team, tweeted, "We are a resilient group. This is just a hiccup in our journey. We will be ready to go for #Tokyo2021."
King, a Rio Olympic champion in the 100m breaststroke and the 4x100m medley, wrote on Instagram, "Just one more year to get better #Tokyo2021." She further told 44News that she's happy input from the athletes was taken into account and that she's embracing this as "an opportunity to spend the next year on getting better. My hope is that this short delay will result in an Olympics that will be the pinnacle of sport."
Manuel, the first Black woman to win an individual Olympic medal in swimming, started out by saying in an Instagram post that, while she supports the decision to postpone the Olympics, she hasn't been fully able to process everything. For her, there are a lot of emotions like stress, sadness, confusion, and exhaustion. Manuel wrote later on, "To my fellow athletes, it goes without saying to take care of your physical health during these uncertain times, but as we continue to prepare for 'Tokyo 2020' in 2021, I encourage all of you to take some time to allow yourself to mentally process how you are feeling. I believe it is an important part in the healing process to move forward. We work together. We move forward together. We heal together. Sending love and light to everyone."
