This archive report was first published on 22 May 2020.
On November 20, 2016, Kenyan Olympic gold medallist Eliud Kipchoge won the Delhi Half Marathon in New Delhi, a testament to the resilience of athletes in the face of adversity.
Fast forward to 2020, and the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to July 23, 2021.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach has acknowledged that 2021 is the 'last option' for holding the delayed Tokyo Games, citing the need to balance the interests of athletes, organisers, and the global community.
'Quite frankly, I have some understanding for (Japan's position) because you cannot forever employ 3,000, or 5,000, people in an organising committee,' Bach told the BBC in a recent interview.
He added that it's a 'mammoth task' to reorganise the Olympics, which have never been cancelled outside of the world wars.
However, Japanese officials have been clear that they have no intention of postponing the Games again beyond next year.
Bach warned that 'nobody knows' how the situation will play out, but said the IOC will act on advice from the World Health Organisation.
'We have to organise these Games in a safe environment for all,' he said.
