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The Norwegian Olympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) wrote to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to request that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games not take place until the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.
It was penned by NIF president Berit Kjøll and secretary-general Karen Kvalevãg.
The letters states, “The Norwegian NOC is concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic and the public health situation both nationally and internationally”
“Our clear recommendation is that the Olympic Games in Tokyo shall not take place before the COVID-19 situation is under firm control on a global scale.”
Meanwhile, the city of Sapporo, Japan where the marathons and race-walk events are to take place has declared a state of emergency.
And at the same time, IOC President Thomas Bach says that the IOC is “not living in a bubble,” in regards to considering various scenarios that could play out between now and July 24, 2020, when the opening ceremonies are scheduled to take place.
“We are affected by this crisis like everyone else and we are concerned like everybody else,” he said.