By Uzor Odigbo
Reactions have been swift after the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by the International Olympic Committee IOC on Tuesday.
Sports administrators, athletes and sponsors are out with reactions commending the IOC for doing the needful in times of chaos in the world health trajectory.
In her reaction, board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Rosa Collins, welcomed the Olympics postponement when She said the international sports organizers don’t have options any more than to shift the Games.
“The IOC did well and I also commend the Tokyo 2020 Olympics organising committee for agreeing to shift the Games despite time, logistics, funds already spent to host the Games.”
Collins also said, the health of athletes, officials and spectators cannot be taken for granted. “Having evaluated the danger the Coronavirus will pose to the rest of the world’s Sports fraternity, I think the decision to postpone the Olympics to next summer was well taken.”
The former Africa and national triple jump Champion (13:80s) said the postponement will afford everyone connected to the Olympic family the opportunity to straighten their preparations after fighting off the Coronavirus pandemic.
On the home front, Collins appealed to athletes and government to redouble their efforts in making sure that the one year extension is well utilised in preparations and possible podium appearance.
“One year is around the corner, it’s not too far, everyone must kick start his or her preparations immediately the Coronavirus is finally eradicated. This is an opportunity and good advantage for our Federation to work more on athletes welfare to enhance their preparations.”
In the same vein, the AFN president Hon. Olamide George said no one can cheat nature, insisting that IOC was spot on in her decision to shift the Games forward.
According to him, the world has to think about athletes health and overall interest of spectators and the entire Olympic family.
“It’s appropriate to focus first on how to defeat the Coronavirus pandemic and then return to sports.”
