Doha, March 25, 2020-The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has expressed its support for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee's joint-decision to postpone the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 to next year.

The IOC announced last week it was stepping up its scenario planning for Tokyo 2020, following conference calls with the world's National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and International Federations (IFs). However, with the growing number of COVID-19 cases around the world and the latest information provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the IOC President Thomas Bach and Prime Minister of Japan Abe Shinzo concluded the Games must be rescheduled to 2021.

QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani said:

“The IOC and Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee's joint-decision to postpone the Olympic Games to 2021, reflects the Olympic Movement's common commitment to safeguarding the health of athletes and all those who make up our Olympic family. The QOC fully supports the decision and agrees that in light of the worsening global situation around the COVID-19 pandemic, postponement was the responsible course of action.

“Through this decision, the IOC and Tokyo 2020 have also given our athletes in Qatar and all athletes around the world certainty during an uncertain time and alleviated concerns over training and qualification.

“Of course, the current situation is far bigger than sport and many great challenges still lie ahead. But as the IOC said, Tokyo 2020 will now serve as a beacon of hope for all of us. We have no doubt that it will be a fantastic Olympic Games and a celebration of the world emerging stronger than before."