Besides the disruptions to athletes’ training schedules, the postponement will have enormous financial and logistical impact, not only on Japan, but around the world. It’s reported that the Land of the Rising Sun itself has already invested some $28 billion in the 2020 Summer Games. According to the Telegraph, the games have never been postponed, although they have been canceled as a result of global warfare in 1916, 1940, and 1944.

Both Canada and Australia had already announced that they would not send athletes to the games, according to CBS Sports. USA Swimming chief executive Tim Hinchey was among those calling for the games to be postponed at least a year, out of health concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic: “As this global pandemic has grown, we have watched our athletes’ worlds be turned upside down and watched them struggle to find ways to continue to prepare and train — many for the biggest competitive opportunity of their lives. Our world class swimmers are always willing to race anyone, anytime and anywhere; however, pressing forward amidst the global health crisis this summer is not the answer.”