Pedestrians walk near a Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games countdown display in Shimbashi district of Tokyo, Japan, March 24, 2020. (DU XIAOYI / XINHUA)

GENEVA / BEIJING / NAIROBI / LAUSANNE / BERLIN / PARIS / LJUBLJANA - The IOC Athletes' Commission has expressed full support of the IOC's decision to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games until 2021 after discussion within athlete community.

"In recent days and weeks, we have engaged with numerous athlete representatives and the wider athlete community to hear your feedback and the challenges that you are facing due to the impact of COVID-19," the IOC AC said in a statement on Wednesday.

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The IOC AC held a virtual meeting Tuesday to discuss this feedback and informed the IOC that they are confident about the decision by the IOC in order to protect the health of the athletes, as well as wider society.

The IOC AC said it will continue to update global Olympians on any further developments regarding the Games and qualification systems.

IJF President: 'Best decision'

International Judo Federation President Marius Vizer on Wednesday called the Tokyo 2020 postponement is a "best" and "correct" decision.

In a Q&A released on the IJF official website, Vizer said "The IJF was always supportive to the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Games but according to the current circumstances it was the best decision that could happen. In the next period, we will reschedule some events soon as the situation created by the COVID-19 be past us."

Asked about some advice to offer athletes who might be struggling mentally with the postponement of the Games and the training restrictions, Vizer said: "First of all I consider that it was a correct decision to postpone the games because in that way the question is answered to the athletes and they can be a little more relaxed and plan their future activity so far the COVID-19 crisis will be over. I think that all the people practicing our sport are mentally strong and flexible.

"Additionally, we are a united Judo family, which means that all Judoka should reach out to their Sensei, to their clubs, their National Federations and to the IJF for support based on our values and principles and considering the Judo way of life."

Talking about the main positives/downsides for judo that the Tokyo2020 Olympics have been postponed, Vizer said: "I know it was a difficult decision because the decision effect totally the athletes and the sport, but at this moment it was the best decision to protect everybody."

World Athletics: Postponement 'what athletes want'

World Athletics on Tuesday welcomed the decision to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to 2021, stressing that the decision is what athletes want.

"We believe this decision will give all athletes, technical officials and volunteers some respite and certainty in these unprecedented and uncertain times," the world governing body of the sport said in a statement. "We will also expedite our current review of the Olympic qualification system, in cooperation with the IOC, and release any changes to the process as soon as possible so athletes know where they stand."

"They (local organizing committee) have assured us that they will work with all of their partners and stakeholders to ensure that Oregon is able to host the World Athletics Championships on alternative dates, including dates in 2022," said the World Athletics.  

World Baseball Softball Confederation voices support

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) voiced support on Tuesday for the decision.

"The WBSC welcomes and fully supports the joint decision taken by the IOC, Tokyo 2020 and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to postpone the start of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said WBSC president Riccardo Fraccari.

"While the postponement is heartbreaking for athletes - and our baseball and softball players - around the world, the 'Tokyo 2020' Games in 2021 can be a symbol of global recovery and solidarity, and be one of the greatest worldwide celebrations and most anticipated moments in the history of sport.

"The WBSC stands in solidarity with the Olympic Movement during this difficult time and will work closely with the IOC to manage the completion of the Olympic qualification process for baseball, which now has more time to be conducted, providing an equal opportunity for the teams and their players."

Baseball and softball will make their return to the Olympics at Tokyo 2020 after Beijing 2008.

According to the statement, softball has completed the Olympic qualification process with the six berths taken by host nation Japan, the United States, Italy, Mexico, Canada and Australia.

Host Japan, Israel, South Korea and Mexico took four Tokyo 2020 baseball tickets with the remaining two teams to be decided by the Americas Qualifier and the Final Qualifier, both postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

ITTF expresses support

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) on Tuesday expressed support to the decision to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) expresses its support of today's decision," read a statement.

"As partners of the IOC since 1988, we at the ITTF have lived very good times," said the ITTF President Thomas Weikert. "We have grown as an Olympic sport and, more than ever, we are here to say that we wholeheartedly support today's IOC decision."

"We are conscious of how difficult it is to deal with the organization of a quadrennial event of such magnitude as the Olympic and Paralympic Games," he added.

For Raul Calin, the ITTF Secretary General, "in fact, the decision to postpone is a message of hope."

"The Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held and the IOC and Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee can count on the support of the ITTF, as always, to make these Games the greatest in history. We have been partners in very good times, and we will be stronger partners also in moments of difficulty," Calin pointed out.

United World Wrestling supports postponement

United World Wrestling released a "President Statement on Tokyo 2020 and Next Steps" on Wednesday, giving its support to the decision of Tokyo 2020 postponement.

"This decision was made after accounting for the health of the athletes, those involved in the Olympic Games, and the international community at large," read the United World Wrestling statement.

"The decision to delay will have a significant impact on our athletes and the remaining qualification process. Like other federations and stakeholders, we are waiting to receive more detailed guidelines from the IOC Sports Department concerning the qualification process and will provide an update as soon as possible.

"I understand that this delay impacts your preparations, and there are many uncertainties at this moment, but I assure your health and safety remain our top priority. As things change, I promise to keep you up to date.

"In the coming weeks, the United World Wrestling executive board will meet via teleconference and - keeping the global situation in mind - make decisions to help determine the remaining UWW events for 2020."

Kenya welcomes decision

Kenya's Sports cabinet secretary Amina Mohamed said the country welcomes the decision, which will ease the tension on athletes as they focus on the fight against the global Covid-19 pandemic.

"Kenya welcomes the decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics by the duration of not more than one year," Mohamed said in Nairobi on Tuesday.

"Kenya government understands that this decision was in no way easy and it was taken into consideration the highest regards for the values and ideals of Olympism, the welfare of current or aspiring Olympians and wellbeing of the human race."

So far only 25 cases have been confirmed in Kenya, though it has led to the disruption of the sporting calendar will all training camps closed and no competition allowed.

"We are extremely proud of our athletes and celebrate their discipline, resilience and understanding of the decision. We laud their move to stand in solidarity and educate communities on safety measures to combat Covid-19, a statement on their unwavering patriotism and brotherhood," added Mohamed.

Kenya won its first-ever medal in the Olympics in Tokyo and Mohamed said they are looking forward to returning to the Japanese capital in 2021.

"We look forward to the reconstitution of the games and re-living the magical moment in Kenya's greatest Olympic performance yet," Mohamed said.

In the meantime, Mohamed urged the athletes to continue with their preparations for the games.

German athletes in support

Most German athletes spoke of great relief after the Games have been moved to 2021 but mentioned new difficulties ahead. "These games would have been like hell for us," Olympic canoe champion Ronald Rauhe commented.

Athletes of all sports were trapped in a constant dilemma. "We were desperate to train every day, but had to consider our responsibility for society and avoid contacting people," Rauhe underlined.

The canoeist said many athletes might have lost the last chance to participate in the Olympic Games. "I intended to retire after the Tokyo games, now I have to think again as another hard year of training would be the result."

Robert Harting called the decision the right step but spoke about "catastrophic effects for many athletes". The 2012 gold medal winner said many "have to restructure their lives now as we gain most of our income is based around the Olympic Games."

Wrestling world champion Frank Staebler announced his decision to continue and face the challenge "as I am used to living with life's adversities".

The decision might be hard to take after intense preparations, but "is an inevitable step. Let's get started, folks."

Decathlon world champion Niklas Kaul called the postponement "the right decision" and expressed his hopes "we will get the great games we have been dreaming of one year later in 2021."

Kaul admitted to having second thoughts as, "we now have time to work on our weaknesses, what I don't like too much."

Slovenia welcomes decision

Slovenian Olympic Committee (OKS) president Bogdan Gabrovec welcomed the decision. Gabrovec said that common sense had prevailed and that it was athletes who would benefit the most from the decision, which took a huge burden off their backs.

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Gabrovec, who urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to postpone the Olympics four days ago, said "reason has prevailed on time" as he commented on the agreement reached between Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and IOC president Thomas Bach.

Gabrovec is happy that the organizers and the IOC have made a decision with a positive effect, and they have showed that they care about athletes' health.