"There are no grounds for drastic decisions at this time," the International Olympic Committee (IOC) wrote in a press release released on Tuesday afternoon.

It came shortly after the announcement that the men's soccer championship will be moved up one year, to the summer of 2021. IOK writes that there may be changes in the qualification for the Olympics, due to the corona eruption, but unlike the European Football Association, it is still hoped that the games should inaugurated in Tokyo on July 24.

"The health and well-being of everyone involved in preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is our top priority," IOC President Thomas Bach affirms in the press release.

There are some who doubt it. The message sends signals that Olympic dreaming athletes should continue training, despite the increasing spread of the corona virus, says the reigning Olympic gold medalist in pole jump Ekaterina Stefanidi.

- We all want the Tokyo Olympics to get rid of, but what is Plan B if it doesn't? If you knew of a possible alternative it would have a huge impact on my training, because otherwise I might take risks now that I would not take if I knew there was a plan B, says the Greek.

So far, 57 percent of the estimated number of Olympic athletes have qualified, IOK writes. But for anyone hoping to reach the Olympics, Tuesday's message poses an unpleasant dilemma, says Stefanidi.

- We are now forced to decide whether to risk our own health by continuing to exercise in the prevailing environment.

Alejandro Blanco, chairman of the Spanish Olympic Committee, thinks that the Olympics should be postponed. Spain is one of the countries most affected by the corona virus. National emergency has been proclaimed and the country's residents are not allowed to leave home except to go to work, seek care or make the necessary purchases.

"The news that comes every day is uncomfortable for all countries in the world, but for us the most important point (regarding the Olympic Games) is that our athletes are not able to train, and to keep the Olympics as planned would mean unfair conditions," says Alejandro Blanco.

Both Tuesday and Wednesday, the IOC has emphasized crisis meetings in the form of video conferences with sports federations and the national Olympic committees.

Swedish Olympic Committee operations manager Peter Reinebo tells SOK's website that you are facing a global emergency, and that it is important that the sports leaders listen to experts.

“The IOC has contact with the WHO (World Health Organization) and the assessment is that it will still be possible to carry out the games with the opening ceremony on July 24. We continue to prepare ourselves in the best possible way and do everything we can to support activists, leaders and unions in their preparation, "says Peter Reinebo.

CLIP: Peter Reinebo: "Challenge to win Olympic qualification" (17 March 2020)

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