Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Postponed to 2021

British Weight Lifting welcomes the decision of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee to postpone the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

British Weight Lifting CEO Ashley Metcalfe said: “Whilst we have every sympathy with the Japanese authorities in making this momentous decision,  given the current unprecedented circumstances, this is undoubtedly the right one. The global COVID-19 pandemic is affecting people worldwide; controlling it and protecting the health of the global population clearly needs to be the number one priority at this moment in time.

“The Olympic and Paralympic Games are without doubt a hugely inspirational spectacle, but the health of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators is our key priority and they can now fully focus on what really matters most at this challenging time, which is to keep themselves and their families healthy and safe.

Our athletes and coaches will continue to follow the advice of the UK Government by practising social distancing measures and are therefore not in their usual training environments. They all remain committed to training at home in isolation and avoiding local clubs and gyms, which they feel may put their own health and that of others unduly at risk.

Sally Munday, CEO of UK Sport added, “We welcome today’s decision from the IOC, IPC and Japan that the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be postponed. I’d like to thank all our athletes who are playing a role in so many different ways in these challenging times, from supporting their local communities to inspiring us to stay active in our own homes. I’d also like to reassure the public that whilst the games are postponed, we strongly believe the power of sport will inspire the nation again.”