Team Canada Will Not Send Athletes To 2020 Summer Games Due To Coronavirus Risks

TORONTO – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), as well as the backing from their Athletes’ Commissions, National Sports Organizations and the Government of Canada have decided to not send Canadian teams to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

The COC and CPC urgently call on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to postpone the Summer Games for one year.

They will offer them full support in helping navigate all the complexities that rescheduling the Summer Games will bring.

“While we recognize the inherent complexities around a postponement, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our athletes and the world community,” the COC and CPC said in their statement.

BREAKING: The Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee will refuse to send athletes to the Tokyo Olympics if the event is not postponed.The 2020 Games are currently set to begin on July 24. News release: pic.twitter.com/NT8twsqAXI

— CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) March 23, 2020

The Canadian Soccer account on Twitter sent out their support for the country on missing the 2020 Summer Olympics if the Games are not postponed.

Canada Soccer supports the @teamcanada and @CDNParalympics call for the International Olympic Committee to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games @Olympics to protect the health & safety of our players, staff and their families. https://t.co/6ILZ59fnnk

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) March 23, 2020

he IOC will look at postponing the Tokyo Olympics during four weeks of talks announced Sunday amid mounting criticism by athletes and sports officials during the coronavirus pandemic.

Consultation with Japanese public authorities, global sports officials, broadcasters and sponsors will deal with “scenario planning” for the July 24-Aug. 9 games, the International Olympic Committee said.
This includes “the scenario of postponement,” the IOC said in a statement, adding “cancellation is not on the agenda.”

Coronavirus Resources

• Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL TV wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing social@ksl.com.
• What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy
• What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus
• Four Common Coronavirus Questions Answered
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• Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?

How Do I Prevent It?

The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

The CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask respirator to protect yourself from coronavirus unless a healthcare professional recommends it.

How To Get Help

If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth service through your healthcare providers.

Additional Resources

If  you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.