Thousands of athletes and many more fans were expected to fly into the capital of Japan later this year for the biggest sporting event in the world. But it might no longer be a spectacle to experience this year. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Monday that they will be postponing the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

“On the basis of the information, the IOC has, the postponement has been decided,” IOC member Dick Pound told USA TODAY. “The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the Games are not going to start on July 24, that much I know. It will come in stages. We will postpone this and begin to deal with all the ramifications of moving this, which are immense.”

How the postponing of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics could affect US Basketball?

After losing to Spain in the FIBA World Cup, Team USA was looking to get back at the Olympics. And with a star-studded lineup analogous to the 1992 Dream Team, an Olympic Gold medal seemed very much a possibility.

With the likes of LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis among many others, Team USA was looking as strong as ever.

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In February, USA Basketball had announced the complete list of 44 finalists for the 2020 Olympic roster. It included the likes of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving who are still injured. It was an opportunity for them to get back to basketball on the biggest stage.

For players like Durant, it was about making a comeback. However, with the Olympics postponed fans will have to wait to see their heroes in action.

Another school of thought would say it could be welcome news for the injured list of players. They can come back fresh without any rust when the Olympics shall take place later.

For players like LeBron James, postponing the Olympics to a much later date wouldn’t be good news. James, 35, would want to stay as young as possible playing in what could be his last Olympics appearance. And he will want to sign off on a high.

Whether positive or negative for any athlete or a team, the decision to postpone the Olympics seemed necessary and inevitable. Amidst the increasing threat of the coronavirus pandemic, postponing the Olympics seems a sensible decision.