USA Surfing statement regarding COVID-19 Postponement of the 2020 Games

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STATEMENT FROM USA SURFING CEO GREG CRUSE ON THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: 

"The health and safety of our athletes and staff is our first priority. I continue to be in touch with our team and have been on calls with USOPC every day. I am proud of our athletes continued focus on their sport and great attitudes in the face of adversity. They are absolutely ripping and ready to get back in jerseys. 

Surfing is in a stronger position than other sports in two major ways 1) We have qualified our entire team already through the World Surf League Championship Tour 2019 final rankings and 2) Our athletes are still able to surf/train in their local breaks. 

There are still about 10 surf athletes spots from other countries left to qualify for the Summer Games. These spots were scheduled to be filled from the results of the ISA World Surfing Games originally scheduled for El Salvador May 9 - 17 and now moved to June 5 - 14.

We have reached out to the ISA to ensure that our team will maintain their qualification through the WSL CT 2019 rankings, should the Games be postponed to July 2021. This is the fair and right course, ensuring the least disruption for the surfers. 

The ISA is still trying to sort out the implications of an unprecedented situation. We respect that these are difficult situations to navigate and new ground for all involved. Surfing offers great practice for staying present and focused on the variables we can control. These are necessary skills in this whole new world. 

In a USOPC conference call this morning many logistics like athlete housing and the need to consider the international sports calendar for at least 33 Olympic sports were discussed.  These are just two of the many considerations being dealt with within the IOC and Tokyo Organizing Committee.

If there is a country that could re-organize and work out the logistics of a postponement, it is Japan. They have been running through many different scenarios and logistical options. I think we will be impressed with the resolution being worked out."