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How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the timing of the Tokyo Olympic Games?

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Brittney Griner Basketball star Brittney Griner, a center for the Phoenix Mercury, shown during a 2019 WNBA game.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to be postponed from their original 2020 schedule to 2021.

On March 24, 2020, following mounting international pressure and health concerns, the International Olympic Committee and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe officially announced the delay. The Games ultimately took place from July 23 to August 8, 2021. Despite the change in timing, the event retained the name "2020 Games" for marketing and traditional purposes. The pandemic also led to the unprecedented decision to bar spectators from all sporting venues.1