US Olympic committee calls for postponement of Tokyo Olympics

The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee sent a survey over the weekend to more than 4,000 athletes on the Coronavirus pandemic and the Games, and they received responses from 1,780. 

"We have heard a wide range of viewpoints and understand the diversity of challenges our athletes face. We regret that there is no outcome that can solve all the concerns we face. Our most important conclusion from this broad athlete response is that even if the current significant health concerns could be alleviated by late summer, the enormous disruptions to the training environment, doping controls and qualification process can't be overcome in a satisfactory manner," the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee said in a statement.

"To that end, it's more clear than ever that the path toward postponement is the most promising, and we encourage the IOC to take all needed steps to ensure the Games can be conducted under safe and fair conditions for all competitors," the statement said.

"We look forward to their feedback and direction, and stand ready to work in support of Team USA and in full cooperation with the global community," it added.

In regards to why the Games should not be held as scheduled, a majority of respondents cited an inability to train consistently. Nearly two-thirds of athletes felt that continuing to train would put their health at risk while 87% of athletes said local regulations in terms of the coronavirus already affected their training. 92.73% of athletes surveyed preferred postponement to outright cancellation of the Games.