After some initial pushback from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the 2020 summer Olympics in Tokyo have been postponed to 2021 due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Although confirmed case numbers in Japan have been fairly low, there is concern that the real numbers are actually way higher since a low percentage of the country has been tested. Most Olympians reacted positively to the news, saying that they would rather wait and have it when it’s safer. Many were surprised it took the IOC this long to postpone the Olympics. The Canadians pulled out of the Games entirely, and multiple USA sports organizations also planned to not send athletes. Now, the fight turns to who will pay for the loss of money. Japan is estimated to lose $6 billion from the postponement, and the country is pushing back on the idea that they’re going to pay for the loss.
By Nic Braico