New dates confirmed for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympics

New dates have been set for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympics.

The XXXII Olympiad will now take place between 23 July and 8 August 2021 – with the Paralympics scheduled from 24 August to 5 September.

Aquatics world governing body FINA has welcomed the decision and praised the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for swiftly announcing the new dates.

The Games were originally scheduled to take place between 24 July and 9 August this year but were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

FINA has also announced it will be consulting with the organisers of the 2021 FINA World Championships as that competition now clashes with the rearranged Olympic Games.

Dr Julio C Maglione, the FINA President, said: “Faced with the unprecedented need to reschedule the Olympic Games, our friends at the IOC and Tokyo 2020 have reacted with great speed and professionalism.

“To already know the dates is very helpful to federations and athletes everywhere.

“FINA would like to express its best wishes to all those who have committed themselves to making the aquatics competitions of Tokyo 2020 the great success that I know they will be.”

Light at the end of the tunnel

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “I want to thank the International Federations for their unanimous support and the 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.

“With this announcement, I am confident that, working together with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Japanese Government and all our stakeholders, we can master this unprecedented challenge.

“Humankind currently finds itself in a dark tunnel. These Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 can be a light at the end of this tunnel.”

Andrew Parsons, the President of the International Paralympic Committee, added: “It 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.”