ITTF statement. Image source: Screenshot from ITTF website

Chinanews.net Client, March 25th. In the evening on the 24th, Beijing time, the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo Olympic Committee jointly issued a statement. In order to protect the health of athletes, and for everyone participating in the Olympic Games and the international community, the 32nd Summer of Tokyo The Olympic Games will be postponed beyond 2020 but not later than the summer of 2021.

In this regard, the ITTF issued a statement in the early morning of the 25th Beijing time in support of the decision.

"The ITTF has been a loyal partner of the International Olympic Committee since the first time the table tennis entered the Olympic family in 1988. During this period, the ITTF has developed rapidly and table tennis has also grown. As an Olympic project, it continues to grow. Now we fully support the decision made by the International Olympic Committee today. We know that it is not easy to organize the four-year competitions like the Olympics and Paralympics. "

According to Raul Carlin, ITTF Secretary-General, "We can imagine how much effort the IOC Executive Committee, the staff, the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee, and the Tokyo City Government have made since September 2013. Especially recently In the past few weeks, as the new crown pneumonia epidemic spread worldwide, they first focused on formulating the best plan to ensure the safety and health of athletes, staff and other relevant parties, and in the end had no choice but to postpone it. However, the decision to postpone the Olympics was passed The message of hope. The Olympic and Paralympic Games will still be held, and the ITTF will continue to fully support the International Olympic Committee and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee to host the largest Olympic Games ever. In the good times, the ITTF and the The International Olympic Committee works closely together, and the ITTF will give its full support at the moment of difficulty. "

The ITTF said in a statement that it expresses its understanding and support for the sudden decision of the International Olympic Committee, and will begin to study the relevant response plans for the Olympic qualification and world rankings. At the same time, it will work closely with the International Olympic Committee to develop Analysis of the impact of the postponement of the Olympic Games from the perspective of events. (Finish)