Tokyo 2020 organisers on Monday unveiled the brand new schedule for the coronavirus-postponed Paralympics subsequent 12 months, with solely minor modifications to the unique calendar for the occasion. The historic determination to delay the 2020 Tokyo Games over the pandemic means the Paralympics are actually scheduled to run from August 24 to September 5, 2021. The programme will function 539 occasions throughout 22 sports activities, with modifications made solely to start out and end occasions for some occasions, Tokyo 2020 stated at a press convention. “Having the schedule mounted is an enormous step for athletes. We wish to proceed our work to create a protected and safe Video games,” Tokyo 2020 Video games supply officer Hidemasa Nakamura informed reporters.
The postponement of the Games has created an enormous headache for organisers, as they navigate every thing from securing venues to devising coronavirus countermeasures.
Thus far particular measures to stop an infection haven’t been introduced, with choices anticipated someday this autumn.
For the Paralympics specifically, officers stated they’re aware that they need to cater to the wants of particular person athletes and spectators with a spread of various well being and bodily necessities.
Tokyo organisers stated they’re additionally working with the Worldwide Paralympic Committee to evaluate how the viral pandemic has affected athletes in varied international locations.
Japanese Paralympian and taekwondo fighter Mitsuya Tanaka informed reporters on the briefing that the pandemic has deeply affected athletes.
“In taekwondo, we go nose to nose. We’ve got restrictions throughout sparring, for instance. In comparison with the time earlier than the coronavirus, we can’t practise like we used to,” he stated.
“After all we’re all involved. I’m too. However we are going to do what we are able to to handle our security. All the opposite athletes are doing the identical as they put together for this. I imagine that is the responsibility of athletes,” he stated.
Promoted
A lot concerning the rescheduled Video games stays unsure, together with the price of the postponement and whether or not the occasion shall be possible if a vaccine or remedy for the virus shouldn’t be discovered.
Among the many proposals mooted for holding the Video games throughout a pandemic is a discount within the variety of spectators, although Olympic officers have stated they aren’t eager on limiting followers and don’t need to maintain the occasion behind closed doorways.
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