No need to rush Tokyo Olympic decision say US as splits emerge

US Olympic chiefs said more time was needed to determine fate of Tokyo Olympics as a major US sports federation called for Games to be postponed over coronavirus pandemic. In a conference call with reporters, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) chairwoman Susanne Lyons said re was need for International Olympic Committee to make an immediate decision on Tokyo.

"I think we would concur with IOC to say that we need more expert vice and information than we have today to make a decision," Lyons said on Friday.

"And we don't have to make a decision. Our games are t next week, or two weeks from w. y're four months from w.

"So we are affording IOC opportunity to gar that information and expert vice.

"At this point in time, we do t feel that it's necessary for us to insist that y make a decision."

But just hours after Lyons' comments, USA Swimming underscored growing divisions within US sport on issue by calling for USOPC to request a postponement. In an open letter to USOPC chief executive Sarah Hirshland, swimming federation boss Tim Hinchey said US Olympic leers should "vocate for postponement" of Tokyo Games. "We urge USOPC, as a leer within Olympic Movement, to use its voice and speak up for athletes," Hinchey wrote.

USA Swimming is biggest US sports federation to call for a postponement. Friday's statement came against a backdrop of mounting unease amongst athletes over impact coronavirus pandemic is having on ir preparations for Tokyo. Several have called on IOC to postpone July 24-August 9 Games, ting that restrictions imposed to curb spre of COVID-19 have wreaked havoc with training and competition schedules.

Lives 'upside down'

Hinchey said American swimmers' lives h been "turned upside down" as y scrambled to find training facilities or reconfigure schedules. "Everyone has experienced unimaginable disruptions, mere months before Olympic Games, which calls into question aunticity of a level playing field for all," Hinchey said. USA Swimming's stance found support from Bob Bowman, former coach of Olympic star Michael Phelps, who said athletes were being placed in danger as y sought out places to train.

"My concern is as y are trying to find places to train and work out, it goes against what we're supposed to be doing to t get coronavirus," Bowman told USA Today.

"It's forcing m to try to do things that are contrary to our national goal right w."

Former US Olympic distance runner Kara Goucher, meanwhile, accused Olympic chiefs of placing financial considerations above athlete safety.

"Athletes are humans, y get sick!" Goucher wrote on Twitter.

"Postpone so y can #ShelterAtHome w/o worrying about losing fitness to competitors!

"You are losing any credibility that you care about wellness of athletes! Athletes over money please!"

USOPC responded Friday to Hinchey's letter in a joint statement from Hirshland and Lyons.

" USOPC has complete and total empathy for athlete community as y man terrible stress and anxiety caused by current lack of certitude regarding Tokyo Games," statement said.

"We understand that athletes have concerns about training, qualification and anti-doping controls, and that y want transparency, communication and clarity to full extent possible.

" USOPC has me it clear that all athletes should put ir health and wellness, and health and wellness of greater community, above all else at this unprecedented moment.

"At same time, and as it relates to Games, we have also heard from athletes that y want Olympic and Paralympic community to be very intentional about path forward - and to ensure that we aren't prematurely taking away any athletes' opportunity to compete in Olympic and Paralympic Games until we have better clarity."

Hirshland told reporters that athletes were t unanimously in favor of Olympics being postponed.

"As diverse as our athletes are, so too are ir perspectives, and that ds to complication factor," Hirshland said.

"re are athletes out re for whom this feels like ir only opportunity, ir last chance. I don't think we're in a position where all athletes have a unanimous point of view."

She said ditional mental health resources were being me available to athletes as y grapple with "significant anxiety."

"We are all living with a high degree of uncertainty and a lack of clarity, and we absolutely hope that we can have clarity as soon as that's practical," Hirshland said.