2020 Olympic Trials: USA Track and Field Calls For Tokyo Olympics To Be Postponed
While Oregon Athletics activities are stopped through the coming week, perhaps longer, the decision on the Olympic Trials happening on time may be closer to a decision.
On Friday, USA Track and Field CEO Max Siegel send a letter to the Olympic Committee on Friday. The letter was made public Saturday on Twitter. In the letter, US Track and Field requested a delay for the Olympic Games in Tokyo as the country and the world are dealing with the coronavirus. Siegel states that safety and health should be top priorities, “The right and responsible thing to do is to prioritize everyone’s health and safety, and appropriately recognize the toll this difficult situation has, and continues to take, on our athletes and their Olympic Games preparations.”
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He continues by stating that this is not just a disruption for the athletes, but a disruption for everyone. While parts of the United States are in lockdown over novel coronavirus, several events at Hayward Field are still in the wait and see stage. Currently, the Prefontaine Classic which is usually scheduled around the Fourth of July has stopped ticket sales, but is still slated to happen as scheduled.
The Pac-12 Track and Field schedule was canceled, along with all spring sports by the NCAA. The new Hayward Field was expected to have a dress rehearsal of sorts with the Pac-12 Track and Field Championships, which are now not happening. While the construction is on schedule to finish in time, a pushback for the Olympic Trials for Tracktown USA appears to be in order.
Last week a member of the Olympic Committee in Tokyo suggested a pushback of the games so that everyone who attended would be able to have a good time and enjoy themselves. With current travel restrictions and no sports, cancellation is also an option, but I believe postponing would be the better option.
As it currently stands, the Track and Field Olympic Trials are slated for Friday, June 19th through June 20th. The Tokyo Olympics are set to run July 24th through August 29th.