Tokyo Olympics to start on July 23, 2021, says IOC

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics, pushed back a year by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, will open on July 23, 2021, according to its organizers.

According to The New York Times, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach noted it would be ideal for the games to open on the said date — and until August 8, 2021 — to make up for the losses created by the coronavirus situation.

Opening in the same season would mean no competing sporting events during the games. Broadcast would not be a problem as well.

The postponement of the games had a humongous ripple effect, as organizers, stakeholders, athletes, and sports federations all had to adjust accordingly and come up with contigency plans.

According to the N.Y. Times, the Tokyo 2020 organizers will retain volunteers it had hired. They will also refund customers who have already availed of tickets, and that tickets bought prior would remain valid for the 2021 games.

The rescheduling of the Olympics affects athletes the most as they would have to consider how to train long-term in the lead up for the games to ensure optimal performances.

Rescheduling of the games would cost an estimated $2 billion.

Coronavirus cases worldwide have reached more than 753,000 as of March 30, 2020.