The coronavirus pandemic has hit the biggest sporting event in the world - the Summer Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee postponed the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The event was scheduled to start July 24 in Tokyo. 

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he and the head of the International Olympic Committee agreed to delay the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo for about a year. The games, which had been scheduled to end Aug. 9, will take place “no later than summer 2021”, - the IOC said. The Paralympic Games had been scheduled for August to September, 6.

Tokyo had completed preparations when the virus started spreading into a worldwide pandemic. Despite insisting for months the Olympics would go ahead as planned, Abe said this week a delay may be unavoidable if the entire events could not be held.