This is the first time in the 124 year Olympic history that the Olympic games have been delayed. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan and president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach postponed the games until the summer of 2021. 

In early April, Japan declared a month long state of emergency reporting a sudden increase in COVID-19 cases while the Olympic flame still remains in Tokyo. Japan’s planning committee had initially been resisting postponing the games, but had to reconsider due to participating countries’ concerns. Canada and Australia were the first countries to pull their athletes out of the games, and many other countries started to follow. 

Athletes and Olympic fans came to terms with the postponement and had a mix of emotions. Some experienced relief and sorrow but all agreed that it was for the best.  

On the other hand, U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte seemed to think otherwise and admitted that he was annoyed, due to the amount of training he had put in.

“This Olympics was going to be the most important Olympics of my career because of everything that’s happened in my past,” Lochte said according to LA Times. “But this whole thing is way bigger than me. It’s way bigger than the Olympians…Our main thing is staying safe and healthy. “

Niles North sophomore and Olympic fanatic Monica Forbes also admitted that she was upset that the games were postponed.

“I like to see different sports being broadcasted and also watching the other great countries compete in them,” Forbes said. “It’s a time where I get to watch the Olympics with my family and friends and we can really bond.”

Forbes later said she was happy they had things under control, but sad that everything changed in just one day. 

Niles North health instructor and head badminton coach Karin Wick states that postponement is a better option than nothing.

“However training calendars are designed for peak performance at the exact time of the Olympic Games,” Wick said. “I am sure it can be adjusted to some degree.”

The IOC has no blueprints on how to handle the situation. In a video addressed to the Olympic athletes, IOC president Thomas Bach states “The Olympic games are the most complex event on this planet,” Bach later says “This Olympic game could finally be the celebration of humanity after having overcome this unprecedented crisis. The Olympic spirit that unites us all.”