호주 올림픽위원회 ‘도쿄 올림픽 대표팀 구성 않는다’ 도쿄올림픽 연기 제안도
호주 올림픽위원회 만장일치로 합의, 뉴질랜드와 캐나다 등도 이미 보이콧
“AOC plans for postponed Olympic Games” [전문포함]
호주 올림픽위원회(Chief Executive Matt Carroll, Australia Olympic Committee; 이하 AOC)는 3월 23일자(현지시간)로 ‘2020년 일본 도쿄올림픽 연기에 대한 AOC의 계획’을 밝히며 올해는 호주 대표팀을 구성하지 않을 것을 홈페이지(https://www.olympics.com.au/)에 밝혔다. 뉴질랜드와 캐나다에 이어 호주도 올해 도쿄올림픽에 참가하지 않겠다는 의사를 밝힌 것이다.
AOC측은 홈페이지에 ‘AOC plans for postponed Olympic Games’이란 제목의 2020 일본 도쿄올림픽에 대한 연기의사를 밝히며 2021년 여름에 도쿄올림픽을 준비해야한다고 언급했다. 이같은 결정은 호주운동선수들의 건강을 우선했으며, AOC는 23일 아침 전화 회의를 통해 이사회의를 열었고, 만장일치로 올해 대표팀을 구성하지 않는 것과 올림픽 연기에 대해 만장일치로 동의했다고 밝혔다.
AOC의 Chief Executive인 Matt Carroll은 “선수들에게 확실성이 필요하다 … 열심히 준비했지만 주변환경이 좋지 않다”며 “(이번 결정은) 선수의 건강을 최우선으로 하고 스포츠계의 이익에 의해 움직이는데 이번 결정은 IOC의 그러한 핵심 원칙을 반영해 채택했”고 말했다. 이어 “7월에는 게임을 열 수 없다. 호주 선수들은 훌륭히 준비했지만 스트레스와 불확실성은 그들에게 극히 어려운 도전이다”라고 보이콧 결정이유를 밝혔다.
다음은 AOC 홈페이지 게재문 전문이다.
AOC plans for postponed Olympic Games [전문]
The AOC says Australian athletes should prepare for a Tokyo Olympic Games in the northern summer of 2021, following the IOC’s announcement of a potential postponement of this year’s Games and changes in public health landscape in Australia and across the globe.
The AOC believes our athletes now need to prioritise their own health and of those around them, and to be able to return to the families, in discussion with their National Federations.
The AOC held an Executive Board meeting via teleconference this morning and unanimously agreed that an Australian Team could not be assembled in the changing circumstances at home and abroad.
AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll says athletes have needed certainty – they wanted to do the right thing for themselves, their families and the world community.
“We have athletes based overseas, training at central locations around Australia as teams and managing their own programs. With travel and other restrictions this becomes an untenable situation.
“The IOC had adopted the key principles of putting athlete health first and ensuring it acted in their best interests and the interests of sport. This decision reflects those principles.
“We are now in a position where we can plan with greater certainty.”
“I would like to thank AOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Steve Hooker for his valuable contribution to discussions today and over the last week, representing the views of our athletes,” Mr Carroll said.
Australian Team Chef de Mission for Tokyo Ian Chesterman says he has communicated to athletes after receiving feedback from athletes from more than 25 sports last week.
“It’s clear the Games can’t be held in July. Our athletes have been magnificent in their positive attitude to training and preparing, but the stress and uncertainty has been extremely challenging for them.
“They have also shouldered the burden of concern for their peers around the world. That has been a consistent message to me.”
“While there will still be much to work out as a result of this change, the timing will allow athletes from around the world to properly prepare with the hope the coronavirus crisis will be under control.
“We are aware that for many such a postponement will present a range of new issues. But when the world does come together at the Tokyo Olympic Games they can be a true celebration of sport and humanity.”
Mr Chesterman said there were numerous issues that flow from any postponement, from qualification through to logistics on the ground in Tokyo, but that these can be worked through in a timely way.
Mr Carroll says he will be communicating with National Federations around Australia today to work through the issues now the situation has become clearer.
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