Coe wants level playing field for Tokyo 2020 athletes

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By trackalerts.com 2 Min Read
DOHA, QATAR - OCTOBER 05: Natalliah Whyte, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jonielle Smith and Shericka Jackson of Jamaica celebrate gold in the Women's 4x100 Metres Relay during day nine of 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at Khalifa International Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for IAAF)

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has admitted some athletes will be at a disadvantage for the Olympic Games if Tokyo 2020 keep its dates.

The Games of the XXXII Olympiad is set for July 24 to August 9.

However, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has caused several uncertainties around the world. Several travel bans, event cancellations and restrictions on public gathering have been imposed across the world.

To date, just under 245,000 confirmed cases worldwide and 10,031 deaths.

Many are calling for a postponement of the Olympic Games. Coe said that if the event goes ahead as planned, the restrictions placed upon athletes by the spread of the coronavirus, they will be at a disadvantage.

“Recent evidence suggests China seems to be pulling out of this, but if you are living in Europe and you are an Italian distance runner and you are confined to your house, that is a massive challenge,” Coe told AP.

“Our sport has always been about fairness and a level playing field, so we should not feel ashamed to set that as our ambition,” he added.

“The reality is that may not be possible in every case, but we want to do what we can to drill down on that,” explained Coe.

He added that “some (athletes) are not able to train properly, and some are not able to access public tracks or indoor facilities.”
Coe, however, said, “we are working on trying to help them find these facilities.”


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2 Comments
  • I am the biggest athleticsfan and SEB Coe has ruined athletics. Look how they have treated cast a semenna who has Don nothing wrong but he allows drug cheats back and Coleman back and bars other athletes for same law he is a joke and might no pleading stupid a joke . Coe we love athleticsy . No wonder ovett had you sussed out in70s and 80s. Power seeking fool you have been found out

  • Sebastian,

    As an athlete will years of experience and some of the same experidnces you had in your years as an active participant in competitive athletics and after 8 decades of competion, it is my opinion there is absolutely no way the Olympic Games should be held in 2020. The IOC must do its part to address the seriousness of the Covid-19 crisis and assist in the effort to eradicate the Coronavirus pandemic. As an Achilles athlete, I feel we all must do our part to achieve world health. Please make the rational decision to postpone the w020 Olympic Games until 2021 for the benefit of athletes and pepple worldwide. Thank you for your consideration.

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