Track legend Carl Lewis wants Olympics postponed for two years

Nine-time Olympic track and field champion Carl Lewis says he wants a delay of up to two years for Tokyo Olympics but rejects any bid to cancel m outright.

58-year-old US athletics legend told Houston television station KRIV that he backs calls for postponement by USA Track and Field and USA Swimming due to disruptions caused by coronavirus pandemic.

" best part about that is y're creating some solidarity in ir mess," Lewis said.

"I just think it's really difficult for an athlete to prepare, to train, to keep ir motivation if re's complete uncertainty. That's hardest thing.

"Because it's a health issue, it's beyond everyone's control. I think most athletes are accepting that."

Tokyo Olympics are set to start July 24 while US swim and athletics trials to determine nation's two largest delegations for event are set for June.

Many athletes have struggled to continue training while being forced to stay home to avoid spreing dely virus.

" athletes cant prepare for an Olympic Games if y don't have an Olympic Trials, if y don't have competition," Lewis said.

"I think USATF, in this case, stepped up. I think y're creating a voice that puts athletes first and I think athletes appreciate it."

Lewis called upon International Olympic Committee to consider pushing back Olympics to 2022, after scheduled 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

"If we delay what should we do?" Lewis said.

"I think a more comfortable situation would be two years and put it in Olympic year with Winter Olympics and n make it kind of a celebratory Olympic year.

"re are some athletes who are right on edge of retiring that that may hurt, but in reality, you have to focus on what (will best serve) masses."

For Lewis, that would mean staging a Tokyo Olympics only two years ahe of 2024 Paris Olympics.

"Two years isn't a big deal, and n two years later we have summer (Olympics) again. I think that that would kind of give m time to re-prepare," Lewis told TV station.

"I just think re's a way to put sports in its perspective, understand athletes' lives and ir dedication and give m a second chance y deserve in a way that y can be respected and also have a chance to be best y can be."

Lewis, an assistant coach for University of Houston track team, kws pain of missing an Olympics.

He missed out on 1980 Moscow Games after qualifying in long jump and 4x100m relay when United States boycotted event.

Lewis said any idea to cancel Tokyo Olympics outright was wrong.

"That would be devastating and what happens is, n all of a sudden you take athlete's voice out of conversation," Lewis said.

"Canceling to me would be a n-starter for athletes. It's just t fair. If you delay and say this is what we're going to do, n it gives athletes a chance to make a positive out of a negative." 

Im credit: AP