Tokyo Olympics scheduled to start July 23, 2021

Last week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo 2020 organizers made the decision to postpone the Olympics until sometime in 2021, though it didn’t immediately land on new dates. IOC President Thomas Bach hinted that a spring Olympics could take place, but that will not be the case, as the Tokyo Games will officially be held next summer, starting on July 23, 2021.

Mark your diaries, the new dates have been announced for the Olympic Games #Tokyo2020.

More information here: https://t.co/Y2YOaZu0EZ pic.twitter.com/aFozmvmf3A

— Olympic Channel (@olympicchannel) March 30, 2020

One year later

The new dates are almost identical to the original 2020 schedule, but just a year later. Tokyo 2020 was set to start on July 24 this summer, and the Games have been rescheduled for July 23 to August 8.

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Athletes were still training however they could (without gyms or training facilities open) while the IOC and Tokyo 2020 organizers repeatedly said the Games would go ahead as planned. The decision to postpone at least gave Olympic hopefuls a chance to rest with the knowledge that they wouldn’t have to qualify for a spot this summer. Now, these same athletes can breathe easier knowing that they have a full year to prepare for the Tokyo Games.

World Athletics statement on 2021 dates for the @Tokyo2020 Olympic Games.

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) March 30, 2020

RELATED: All athletes who qualified for Tokyo 2020 will keep their spots in 2021

What does this mean for Oregon 2021?

The new Olympic schedule overlaps with the 2021 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Ore., which are slated for August 6 to 15. The championships will of course have to be moved, and World Athletics released a statement this morning which says they will be looking to reschedule for some time in 2022. No dates have been determined yet.