Olympics 2021

A big announcement by the Olympic Committee!

The Olympic Committee announced yesterday that it would be postponing the 2020 Olympics for one year, due to the Coronavirus.

Since the opening of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, the international sports competition has only been canceled three times: once during World War I  (1916) and twice during World War II (1940, 1944).

Until the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, which has now postponed the Summer Olympic games for a year, the Olympics weathered politically charged boycotts and two separate terrorist attacks without being canceled or postponed during peacetime. 

The 1916 Olympics were supposed to be hosted by the German Empire, which had built an impressive 30,000-seat stadium in Berlin for the event. But with the outbreak of war  in 1914, and the eventual involvement of so many nations who sent athletes to the Olympics, the 1916 games were scrapped. 

The 1940 Winter Games were to be held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany and the Summer Games in Helsinki, Finland. But the Olympics were canceled altogether after the Nazi invasion of Poland.

London was supposed to host the 1944 summer Olympics, but those were summarily canceled due to the ongoing war. Same for the 1944 winter games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. London eventually hosted the 1948 games, but banned German and Japanese athletes from participation. 

At least this year’s Games have not been totally cancelled, simply postponed for one year.

And as sad as this is, it obviously is for the better. We want everyone there who wants to be there and with no fear about any virus. The athletes will have more time to work on their skill, perhaps some making it next year who would not have made it this year.

Yes! We always MUST look on the bright side of things – a good exercise!

Spread love, spread joy – make the world a better place!