A Message from USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland
by USA Diving
As we face the realities of events around the world and country being cancelled, postponed or altered, I want the athletes of Team USA, and the Olympic and Paralympic community that supports them, to know that as we are called on to make important decisions, your health and well-being is our foremost concern.
So, here is what we know today. Despite the ever-changing nature of coronavirus, its global impact, and the hypothetical scenarios that have entered the conversation, the USOPC has not been given any information to suggest that the Tokyo 2020 Games will not go ahead as scheduled and as planned. We, like the athletes who are training to compete at their very best in Tokyo, are focused on being prepared to support our Olympic and Paralympic teams in Japan.
We continue to receive updates from domestic and international experts, and we are working with our own internal sport medicine team and coronavirus working group, and importantly, an Infectious Disease Advisory Group comprised of experts that is informing our work and providing important guidance.
We are committed to working with the NGBs as they make decisions about their events, and determineappropriate next steps related to team trials. In light of the changing event schedules, both internationally and domestically, we are working directly with athletes and NGB representatives to maintain fair and transparent team selection processes for Tokyo.
It remains our great hope that Team USA athletes – having dedicated an incalculable amount of time and effort in hopes of representing the United States in the Olympic and Paralympic Games – will have the opportunity to live out their athletic dreams in Tokyo.
At this point there are many more questions than answers – but it’s important that we feel empowered as leaders in the Olympic and Paralympic community to ask tough questions and be prepared to make tough decisions.
To that end, we are cancelling all Team USA fan events scheduled through the end of April, including the 100 Day Out celebration in Times Square on April 15.
Rest assured we will continue to take every precaution necessary to ensure the health and safety of Team USA athletes and the communities we all home. That is our commitment – and it will be reflected in every decision we make.
With great appreciation for your support of Team USA,
Sarah