Tokyo Olympics 2020 has been postponed to 2021 - Kengo Kuma's Stadium in Tokyo. Japan.

Tokyo Olympics 2020 has been postponed to 2021 – Pictured: Kengo Kuma’s Stadium in Tokyo. Japan.

Coronavirus pandemic – “Let me start with a good news first. We all will be able to celebrate the Olympic (and Para Olympic) Games Tokyo 2020, even if its all in 2021. But finally you can make sure to make your Olympic game coming through.” Said Thomas Bach, president of IOC – International Olympic Committeein an massage to athletes. “In the present circumstances and based on the information provided by the World Heath Organixzation today, the IOC and the prime minister of Japan have concluded that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo must be rescheduled,” said a statement from the IOC.

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe and IOC Thomas Bach made the decision to protect the health of the athletes and attendees of the event. It will now take place on “a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community.”

In the past days some countries such as Canada and Australia said they wouldn’t have taken part at the games unless the commission postponed the event.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics medals by Junichi Kawanishi - Photo courtesy of Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics medals by Junichi Kawanishi.

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. Therefore, it was agreed that the Olympic flame will stay in Japan. It was also agreed that the Games will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics' torch by Tokujin Yoshioka - Courtesy of Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The decision is going to have a heavy impact on the city of Tokyo and Japan which has been investing billions of dollars to prepare for the games.

Numerous architects and designers have created buildings, branding and products for the 2020 Olympics, including Kengo Kuma brand-new stadium, the design of the olympic torch by Tokujin Yoshioka which is inspired by cherry blossoms as a symbol of peace and is made from recycled aluminium originally used in the construction of prefabricated housing units in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics' logo by Asao Toloko - Courtesy of Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Tokyo 2020 Olympics’ logo by Asao Toloko.

Images: courtesy of Tokyo 2020/2021 Olympic Games.