The organisers of the Tokyo Olympics have announced the Games will take place exactly one year after their intended dates this summer.
In an unprecedented move the Olympics were cancelled for
2020 due to Covid19. Today the International Olympic Committee announced the
Games will take place next year from July 23rd to August 8th.
Those dates mean the Games clash with the 2021 Tour de
France. This year the Tour was moved forward by a week to facilitate riders who
wanted to compete in the Olympics.
Tour organisers ASO will now need to move the race forward by one week again or risk losing many top riders from the event who decide to target the Olympics instead.
The men's road race in Tokyo is now set for Saturday, July 24th, which is the same date as the penultimate stage of the Tour.
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The Olympic Federation of Ireland welcomed news that a
definite new date had been set, saying that would now enable it to begin planning
for the Games.
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“Now the athletes have a start date for the Games, they can work with their performance directors and coaches to start mapping out preparations,” said chef de mission for Team Ireland Tricia Heberle.
“Importantly for athletes and sport, the next information
we need clarity on are any changes to qualification and the rescheduling of
qualification events.
“This will take some time, so in the short term the focus
remains the same, stay healthy and safe over the coming months.
“The priority now is for everyone to following the
government guidelines to protect Ireland and the rest of the world against
further spread of this virus.
“A July 2021 start means that we have plenty of time to
reactivate preparatory plans and for athletes currently in modified training or
on a break of sorts.
“This period of time can still allow some positive impact
on performance. If we are smart, this enforced break can make Team Ireland even
better.”
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