The Olympics have never been postponedPeople wearing protective face masks, following an outbreak of the coronavirus, are seen next to the Olympic rings in front of the Japan Olympic Museum in Tokyo, Japan, February 26, 2020.There is mounting pressure to postpone the Olympics for the first time in its 124-year history.
The International Olympic Committee , the Olympics' governing body, provided an update to its athletes and the public on Sunday, announcing they are stepping up scenario-planning and will have a decision on the games within the next four weeks. The Olympics has only been canceled three times: In 1916, as World War I started, and in 1940 and 1944 during World War II.On Sunday, Canada became the first major country to speak out and withdraw its athletes from Tokyo in 2020 due to COVID-19 risks.
"Our athletes have been magnificent in their positive attitude to training and preparing, but the stress and uncertainty have been extremely challenging for them," said Australia's Olympics Chef de Mission, Ian Chesterman.
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