Carli Lloyd, Katie Ledecky and More Athletes React to Olympics Postponement

The IOC announced the Tokyo Olympics will be postponed to summer 2021.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the International Olympic Committee finally agreed on Tuesday to postpone the Olympics to Summer 2021 in Tokyo.

The IOC's decision came after the committee received mounting pressure and criticism from athletes and national governing bodies to change the date for the Summer Games.

The Olympics were set to begin July 24 with the opening ceremony. This is the first time the modern Olympics have been postponed. The Games have previously been canceled only during wartime in 1916, 1940 and 1944.

After the news was announced, many Olympic athletes took to social media to commend the IOC for its decision to postpone the Games.

"This is bigger than sports. This is bigger than an Olympics. I definitely think it's the right call," USWNT's Carli Lloyd told WPVI. "I think for the safety of everybody, it's definitely the best thing."

2x Olympic gold medalist & Delran, NJs Carli Lloyd to @6abc on Olympics Postponement

“It’s bigger than an Olympics. I definitely think it’s the right call. Disappointed... but I think for the safety of everybody, it’s definitely the best thing”@6abc@CarliLloyd#Olympics2020 pic.twitter.com/69MAzL2xzo

— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) March 24, 2020

See you in 2021 !
🤷🏻‍♂️🥇💥🇯🇵 #olympics #greatmemories #goldmedal #seeyou #2021 #stayhome #staysafe pic.twitter.com/WV4cM1nSBt

— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) March 24, 2020

As we stand together to meet today’s challenges, we can dream about a wonderful Olympics in a beautiful country. Now is the time to support all those working to heal the sick and keep us all healthy. pic.twitter.com/RsLuidzeYw

— Katie Ledecky (@katieledecky) March 24, 2020

Our dreams aren’t cancelled, they are just postponed. Looking forward to dreams coming true for athletes everywhere in 2021 ❤️ #Tokyo2021

— emma coburn (@emmajcoburn) March 23, 2020

Even though I've been mentally preparing myself for Olympic postponement for the past couple weeks, it's still pretty gutting to see it made official. Not because of the decision, I think it's the right call, but… https://t.co/yRejkSxfIW

— Jacob Riley OLY (@JakeBillRiley) March 24, 2020

Postponed, not cancelled. Thankful for the decisions made. Global health and safety are what is most important right now ❤️
📸 @gettysport
.#healthfirst #safetyfirst #thankful #olympics #bekind @ Rio de Janeiro, Rio… https://t.co/No7Gg0pLiC

— Emily Infeld (@emily_infeld) March 24, 2020

All in all a very wise decision to postpone the Olympics until 2021. I look forward to come back to Japan to defend my Olympic title next year and look forward to witness a wonderful event. I wish everybody good health in these challenging times. pic.twitter.com/jrhsFEe545

— Eliud Kipchoge - EGH🇰🇪 (@EliudKipchoge) March 24, 2020

I am thankful the USOC wanted to take the time to listen to the athletes.

The IOC and Japan have made the right decision. #Tokyo2021

— Shalaya Kipp (@ShalayaKipp) March 24, 2020

TOKYO 2021!
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thank you @sinow for the cover piece about running through uncertainty
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bravies let’s stay safe & as composed as possible
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📸 @kohjirokinno https://t.co/hY6QDPmJ8d

— Alexi Pappas (@AlexiPappas) March 24, 2020

You could feel it coming but it doesn’t mean it’s any less of a shock. 🥺

— Monica Abbott OLY (@monicaabbott) March 24, 2020

Tokyo, on se voit en 2021.
Nous avons un combat plus important à gagner avant 👊🏾

See you in 2021, Tokyo.
First, we have to win a huge fight 👊🏾#Tokyo2021 #ResterChezVous #StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/1tvO7ubu6G

— Teddy Riner (@teddyriner) March 24, 2020

It’s been announced that the Tokyo 2020 Games will be postponed not later than summer 2021. There has been an enormous disruption in athlete training and competitions that qualify Olympic hopefuls have been canceled… https://t.co/t2XjzXAKr2

— Danielle Scott (@DScottArruda) March 24, 2020

BIG news and it’s the right call. #Tokyo2020 postponed. Of course we have bigger things to worry about right now, but on a sporting side, there’s going to be a few nations thankful for 12months more preparation! https://t.co/cQ5ZK4Ee8w

— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) March 24, 2020

There was an option to push back the Olympics to the fall of 2020 but it remains uncertain when the COVID-19 virus will be under control enough to stage sporting events live with spectators. Postponing to 2021 is the safer bet.