Osaka backs Olympic postponement: 'Sport will eventually unite us again'
Naomi Osaka supports the International Olympic Committee's decision to postpone the Tokyo Games until 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The 22-year-old tennis star, who was set to represent Japan at the games this summer, shared her thoughts on the decision in an Instagram post.
"Everyone knows how much the Olympics means to me and how proud I will be to participate in my home country," Osaka posted on Saturday. "Of course I am disappointed that it won't happen this year, but we'll all be ready to go stronger than ever in 2021!
"I support (Japanese) Prime Minister Abe's brave decision and the IOC 100%. Sport will eventually unite us again and be there for us always, but that time is not now. This is the time for people from all countries, backgrounds, and races to rally together to save as many lives as we can. To me, that is the Olympic spirit.
"To the people of Japan: Stay strong, hang in there, and let's show the world our beautiful country when the time is right in 2021," she continued.
An exact date for the Tokyo Olympics has yet to be determined, but Japan and the IOC have agreed the games will be held no later than summer 2021.