IOC confirms new dates for Tokyo Olympics

Rescheduled Olympic Games will take place exactly one year later than planned from 23 July to 8 August 2021.

Japan.- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics will get underway exactly one year later than planned on 23 July 2021.

The news comes after the IOC took the decision to postpone this year’s event due to the Coronavirus pandemic.  

The decision was made by the International Olympic Committee following a conference call between its President, Thomas Bach, and international sports federations on Monday.

The IOC, the Government of Japan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Organising Committee of the Games agreed that the Tokyo Olympics will be held from 23 July to 8 August 2021, with the Paralympic Games to run from 24 August to 5 September.

“These new dates give the health authorities and all involved in the organisation of the Games the maximum time to deal with the constantly changing landscape and the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the statement published by IOC, said.

“The new dates, exactly one year after those originally planned for 2020, also have the added benefit that any disruption that the postponement will cause to the international sports calendar can be kept to a minimum. Additionally, they will provide sufficient time to finish the qualification process. The same heat mitigation measures as planned for 2020 will be implemented,” it added.