Postponed Olympic Games to begin on July 23, 2021, says IOC’s Bach

The 2020 Olympics in Tokyo will now kickoff on July 23, 2021, one year later than the original July 24, 2020 start date which was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach on Monday said the new dates, which will run through August 8, 2021, were chosen to safeguard all those involved with the Games as well as to mitigate the spread of the illness while also taking into consideration the global sports calendar which has been upended due to the contagion.

Bach said there is no blueprint to follow as the IOC and Tokyo 2020 organizers work with international federations, venues and sponsors, to name a few, as they reshape the Games to be held a year later than initially planned. He said he hopes the Olympics will serve as a light at the end of the tunnel as the world looks to get passed the coronavirus crisis.