BUENOS AIRES/ASUNCION/MEXICO CITY — Athletes should be given the chance to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics right until the Games begin on July 24 due to the disruption caused to the sporting calendar by the coronavirus pandemic, Olympic committees in Latin America said. Global sport has come to a virtual standstill due to the virus, which has claimed more than 10,000 lives globally. The situation has left thousands of Olympic hopefuls in limbo with many qualifying events around the world postponed or cancelled. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said 57% of 11,000 athletes have secured their Olympic spots for the 33-sport extravaganza. Calls to postpone the Games have so far fallen on deaf ears, with the IOC and Japanese Prime Minister repeatedly insisting the event will go ahead as scheduled between July 24-August 9.

Source: International New York Times March 20, 2020 18:33 UTC