The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) made a brave decision on Sunday, showing leadership by becoming the first country to pull out of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics if it goes on as scheduled.
The COC urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to postpone the Games until next year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision made news around the world, and was largely applauded, with Australia following suit soon after.
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But while postponing the Games, which were supposed to take place July 24 to August 9, seems like an obvious decision, that’s easy for us to say.
It’s a whole lot more difficult for the athletes, who have dedicated themselves for two weeks in Tokyo this summer.
At least, it should be. Many Canadian Olympians, past and present, took to social media to share their support for the COC’s decision.
The maturity shown by wrestler Erica Wiebe, who won one of Canada’s four gold medals at Rio 2016, was especially impressive.
“It’s the greatest privilege of my life to play for Team Canada,” Wiebe said in a series of tweets.
“I get to do what I love and represent a country that stands for integrity, passion, and is a true leader on and off the field of play. I stood on the podium in Rio and I wanted to do it again in Tokyo.
“I’m heartbroken by the COC decision to not send athletes to a 2020 Olympic Games.
“But I admire their leadership in this moment in time and I believe we are standing on the right side of history.
“I hope that the IOC will do the right thing and postpone the Olympics until 2021. I hope they choose this opportunity to lead with integrity and put humanity first.
“The most critical thing right now is protecting our community’s health and safety. We must focus our efforts globally on managing this crisis and getting through it together. For now, I am doing my part. Respecting social distancing. Staying healthy; mentally & physically.
“I’ll be ready for whatever happens.”
I’m blown away by the athletes right now. The composure & the perspective – my goodness. You are truly inspirational, & no one can take that away from you. Your chance to shine will come 💫 so proud to be Canadian! @TeamCanada 🇨🇦
— Brittany MacLean (@b_maclean) March 23, 2020
Should the IOC postpone the Olympics as expected, it will be a logistics nightmare, particularly for the host country Japan. The IOC will also have to make decisions regarding qualification procedures for the Games (will qualified athletes have to re-qualify in 2021?), not to mention re-securing venues.
In any event, the decision to formally postpone the Olympics should serve as a weight off the shoulders of athletes, who are likely trying to train in unideal circumstances around the world right now.
Everyone’s focus right now should be physical distancing and staying healthy. There’ll be time to play next year.
Here’s a look at what many Canadian Olympians, past and present, had to say:
Leading the world. Very proud of 🇨🇦 this evening. #dotherightthing https://t.co/tdqGPAzon3
— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) March 23, 2020
In the absence of socially responsible leadership from @iocmedia, thank you @TeamCanada for providing responsible leadership for CDN athletes. May other countries now follow your lead and wholly support their athletes in being responsible local/national/global citizens. https://t.co/0svbE5iFCc
— Alison Sydor (@AlisonSydor) March 23, 2020
This is so tough, for so many athletes.
But this situation is bigger than sport.
The health & safety of our athletes, coaches, staff and fans has got to be our top priority.
Proud of @TeamCanada & @CDNParalympics for taking the lead.
To the athletes: we support you 💯% 🇨🇦🇨🇦 https://t.co/o1PLelqLJJ
— Adam van Koeverden (@vankayak) March 23, 2020
Full support and respect for the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams ❤️🤍❤️ https://t.co/QJosml4Av4
— Clara Hughes (@clarahughes) March 23, 2020
It’s an honour to represent #TeamCanada in a sport I love. I am so proud to be a part of a team that has prioritized the health of the true Team Canada and the world. Postpone today, conquer tomorrow. #37millionstrong https://t.co/NLaPe2006V
— Rosie MacLennan (@RosieMacLennan) March 23, 2020
I’m heartbroken by the COC decision to not send athletes to a 2020 Olympic Games.
But I admire their leadership in this moment in time and I believe we are standing on the right side of history.
— Erica Wiebe (@ericawiebe) March 23, 2020
The most critical thing right now is protecting our community’s health and safety. We must focus our efforts globally on managing this crisis and getting through it together.
For now, I am doing my part. Respecting social distancing. Staying healthy; mentally & physically.— Erica Wiebe (@ericawiebe) March 23, 2020
Competing in the Olympics is my #1 goal but I fully support this decision and I commend our leadership for taking a stand. I hope more nations follow suit. #keepeveryonesafe https://t.co/pmiUa5sn4U
— Gaby Dabrowski (@GabyDabrowski) March 23, 2020
The best decisions are often the ones we don’t want to make. Until recently I never would have imagined a situation where Canada wouldn’t send a team. But, given the news unfolding every day, this is the right call. I expect we will see many other nations follow suit. #Tokyo2020 https://t.co/oz69Ufq6Tc
— Brent Hayden OLY (@thebrenthayden) March 23, 2020
— Aaron Kingsley Brown (@KingsleySC) March 23, 2020
I’m proud to be a member of @TeamCanada / @CDNParalympics. Thank you for being global role models.
We, the athletes, can now focus on being role models at home. We can safely follow the guidelines without worrying about what will happen come July.
Thank you.#37millionstrong https://t.co/sVAtC9sdvJ— Evan Dunfee (@EvanDunfee) March 23, 2020
As an Olympian, feeling for @TeamCanada Athletes and coaches who have worked so hard…having missed my first Games, I know these decisions will impact many beyond sport! Health first. The Canadian values our Athletes represent everyday will always be on the podium.
— Charmaine Crooks, C.M, OLY (@charmainecrooks) March 23, 2020
Bravo #TeamCanada for prioritizing the athletes and community. Athletes you have already sacrificed so much but your resiliency and grit will take you to the finish line. @TeamCanada https://t.co/Slx3agk8TF
— Jennifer Heil (@JennHeil) March 23, 2020
Really Hard to fathom not being at the Olympics this summer as part of @TeamCanada but our country continues to set itself apart by doing what’s right on a human level and putting health, well-being and safety first. It’s a huge statement,a hard one to take but the right one! https://t.co/3PKZdhEIak
— Desiree Scott (@MsDScott11) March 23, 2020
Thank you @TeamCanada for setting a precedent in putting healthy and safety first.
Honestly, it’s gutting but we’ll be back stronger and better for it! https://t.co/G7LKZqX8oM— Sophie Schmidt (@sophieschmidt13) March 23, 2020
It’s always been one of the biggest honours of my life to be a member of @TeamCanada, and today I’m more proud than ever to be a part of a team that didn’t hesitate to put the health of Canadians and the global community ahead of sport. #TeamCanada https://t.co/u0Dssijvpt
— Diana Matheson (@dmatheson8) March 23, 2020
This is painfully hard to comprehend.
An impossible situation, a hard decision, but the right decision.
Proud to be part of @TeamCanada 🇨🇦#TrueNorth https://t.co/qBa4Vvh8eI
— Janine Beckie (@janinebeckie) March 23, 2020
— Ghislaine Landry (@ghis_landry) March 23, 2020
This is bigger than us. Proud of @TeamCanada ‘s bold and important move. Shifting focus from global athletics to global health is the right thing to do, and hoping other countries follow suit. 2020 vision is shifted, but it’d rather that than hindsight being 20/20. #tokyo2021 https://t.co/CAVXgPh8JV
— Jessica O’Connell (@jess__oconnell) March 23, 2020
I am proud to be a member of @teamcanada
Postpone today, conquer tomorrow
💪🇨🇦 #37millionstrong pic.twitter.com/KBiYBlTlQn— Matthew Sarmento (@sarmy21) March 23, 2020
I applaud the leadership @TeamCanada has displayed with this decision. I’m sure it was a difficult decision but necessary. I feel for the summer athletes who have put everything they have into representing Canada in Tokyo. Let’s hope IOC postpones. https://t.co/dn6j6Jwsea
— Calynn Irwin (@CalynnMIrwin) March 23, 2020
Proud that our country and @TeamCanada are being leaders during this challenging time. #puttingourathletesfirst https://t.co/JZQxmRUTOn
— Jayna Hefford (@J16H) March 23, 2020
A very difficult decision for @TeamCanada but certainly not taken lightly. #Leadership
Thanks to all the key players and nice to have @TeamCanadaAC at the table. Prioritizing public health and our athletes’ health is THE priority.. the Games can wait a little! #ConquerTomorrow https://t.co/Pa7AdNLLom
— Philippe Marquis (@MarquisPhil) March 23, 2020
Now if 🇨🇦athletes can unselfishly suspend their Olympic dream and stay home, you can too! #socialdistance #37millionstrong https://t.co/N8PzSpexfG
— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) March 23, 2020