Call off Olympics, says quadruple gold medallist Pinsent

 

FILE PHOTO: Rowing - 2018 Oxford University vs Cambridge University Boat Race Press Conference - Thames Rowing Club, London, Britain - March 22, 2018 Women's Boat Race Umpire Sir Matthew Pinsent during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - Four-time Olympic rowing champion Matthew Pinsent has called for Tokyo 2020 to be called off, describing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as "tone deaf" for proceeding with the Games amid the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Pinsent's comments reflect mounting concern from current and former athletes that the full-steam ahead approach by the IOC is inappropriate in the current global health crisis.

 

"I'm sorry Mr Bach but this is tone deaf," Britain's Pinsent tweeted on Wednesday, referring to IOC President Thomas Bach.

 

"The instinct to keep safe (not to mention obey government instructions to lock down) is not compatible with athlete training, travel and focus that a looming Olympics demands of athletes, spectators organisers etc. Keep them safe. Call it off."

 

Pinsent, 49, won gold at four consecutive Olympics from 1992 until 2004.

 

The Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 24-Aug. 9.

 

The coronavirus outbreak has shredded the sporting calendar and has already started affecting some Olympic qualifying events.

 

(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Toby Davis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-03-19

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Love the Olympics, and for those 16 days the world is always a better place.   But this is a no brainer.   Figure out the last possible day where it could still go ahead if the virus is not completely controlled, and if that day is reached then it's gotta be canned.

Says the guy who already has his 4 gold medals.

 

If the entire event was not so much about making money, it seems they could manage keeping the athletes safe, and eliminating the audiences. History's first "online" olympics. Of course, it is not the same without a cheering crowd, but these athletes plan their lives around this event, and often do not have the option of trying again in 4 years. It is a very difficult decision, and maybe the athletes themselves should be allowed a voice in the decision of whether or not to have an audience-free games.

Doesn't much make sense to hold them when athletes can't train properly, travel easily, etc. Just postpone or call off.