New dates for Tokyo 2020 Olympics: 23 July to 8 August 2021

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has joined the sports world in welcoming the new dates of the Tokyo 2020 Games, which are now scheduled to be staged from 23 July to 8 August 2021.

The new dates were confirmed today by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Government of Japan, following last week's postponement announcement.

The Olympic Games #Tokyo2020 will be held from 23 July until 8 August 2021.

More information here: https://t.co/ST25uXKglE pic.twitter.com/sQo1TIcH5O

— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) March 30, 2020

The IOC revealed that the decision was taken based on three main considerations:

1. To protect the health of the athletes and everyone involved, and to support the containment of the COVID-19 virus.
2. To safeguard the interests of the athletes and of Olympic sport.
3. The global international sports calendar.

The WBSC has stood in solidarity with the Olympic Movement and Japan during this challenging time and continues to do so, remaining flexible with its own events, including Olympic qualifiers, to accommodate the rescheduling of the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Above all, the WBSC fully supports the main considerations which the decision was based upon, especially protecting the health of the athletes and everyone involved, and to support the containment of the COVID-19 virus as well as safeguarding the interests of the athletes and of Olympic sport.

WBSC leaders have expressed their most sincere gratitude to Japan and its people for their commitment to hosting the Olympic Games, given the unprecedented circumstances caused by COVID-19.

Dates confirmed. The Tokyo2020 Olympics will be staged from 23 July to 8 August 2021. The Baseball and Softball World will be ready. #OlympicGames #Tokyo2020 #Baseball #Softball

— Riccardo Fraccari (@WBSCPresident) March 30, 2020

In response to a tweet by WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari that "the baseball and softball world will be ready [for the Games in 2021], Tokyo 2020 replied, "We can't wait to host baseball and softball at Tokyo 2020."

Photo courtesy Tokyo 2020