South African U23 coach, David Notoane, has confirmed his disappointment at the postponement of the Olympic Games though he has welcomed the decision of the powers that be.
Notoane and his team were looking forward to the Tokyo Olympic Games, which had been scheduled for later this year, however, the event has since been postponed to next year by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to the Coronavirus outbreak worldwide.
"The IOC has finally given a directive and a position in relation to the postponement of the Olympic Games – Tokyo 2020 to next year before summer, after taking a very guided approach and cautious approach in support of what is before us in terms of all measures to try and curb Coronavirus," Notoane told the media.
"We welcome the decision of the IOC and Tokyo Olympic Organising Committee and the Prime Minister of Japan of course in making a decision that benefits everyone. It can only be fair that everyone is allowed an equal opportunity to prepare for the Olympics. However, naturally I am disappointed as we really gearing up later in the year to intensify our preparation for the Olympic Games. Of course, acknowledging that our preparations have been destabilised now with the postponement of our trip to Japan which should have taken place at this particular moment. However, Coronavirus is here upon us. So, we still remain hopeful that after this pandemic has gone past us and the world is stabilised, there could possibly be review of the decision to postpone to next year," the coach added.
The coach has thanked the President Cyril Ramaphosa for announcing a lockdown on Monday evening, and has encouraged everyone to do whatever it takes to fight the spread of the virus.
