New dates for Olympic & Paralympic Games announced

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games have been rescheduled to take place between 24 August and 5 September 2021.

The dates were confirmed today (30 March) by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

This decision was taken under three main considerations:

  1. To protect the health of the athletes and everyone involved and to support the containment of the COVID-19 virus.
  2. To safeguard the interests of the athletes and of Olympic and Paralympic sport.
  3. The global international sports calendar.

The hope is that the new dates will

  1. Give everyone time to deal with all the changes and disruption caused by COVID-19
  2. Help to minimise disruption to the international sports calendar
  3. Give time for athletes to finish the qualification process.

IPC President Andrew Parsons said: “If is fantastic news that we could find new dates so quickly for the Tokyo 2020 Games.  The new dates provide certainty for the athletes, reassurance for the stakeholders and something to look forward to for the whole world.

“When the Paralympic Games do take place in Tokyo next year, they will be an extra special display of humanity uniting as one, a global celebration of human resilience and a sensational showcase of sport.“

“With the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games 512 days away, the priority for all those involved in the Paralympic Movement must be to focus on staying safe with their friends and family during this unprecedented and difficult time.”

“Now that the dates are confirmed, the IPC will work with the International Federations to establish new qualification criteria which will fully respect those that have already qualified for the Games.”

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “I want to thank the International Federations for their unanimous support and Continental Associations of National Olympic Committees for the great partnership and their support in the consultation process over the last few days. I would also like to thank the IOC Athletes’ Commission with whom we have been in constant contact.

The President of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee Yoshiro Mori said: “I would like to thank all stakeholders, including the host city Tokyo and the Government of Japan, for their hard work during this short period. The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee will continue to work hard for the success of next year’s Games.”

Chelsey Gotell, Chairperson of the IPC Athletes’ Council, “I think these new dates will be a huge sense of relief for the whole athlete community who will be appreciative at the speed they have been set.  With more than 500 days to go until the Paralympics, athletes can mentally reset and begin thinking about their 2021 plans.“

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games will run from 23 July to 8 August 2021.

For more information on plans for the GB Team athletes should remain in contact with your National Governing Body of Sport.

For information on eligbility and classification contact the UK Sports Association.

To ensure you are listed ‘active’ on the Virtus (Inas) Master list, please ensure your fees for 2020 are paid.  Details here.