UCI statement concerning the postponement of Tokyo 2020 and the resumption of the cycling season

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has noted with satisfaction the agreement that has been reached between the Japanese Government, the Organising Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) concerning the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The postponement of the Games to 2021 is in the health and sporting interests of the athletes, as well as all concerned people and parties. Cycling, a historic sport at the Olympic Games and the third Olympic sport in terms of medals with its five disciplines (road, track, mountain bike, BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle), has taken important decisions in the same direction over the last few weeks to protect health and ensure sporting equity both in regards its International Calendar and the Olympic and Paralympic qualification procedures for cycling. Our Federation is in close contact with the IOC to adjust is qualification procedure to the decisions taken concerning the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The decision to postpone the 2020 Games will also be taken into account by the UCI during the reflection currently underway with our sport’s stakeholders concerning the UCI International Calendar in the context of the coronavirus. As previously indicated, the UCI has made it a priority to establish a new calendar, in particular when it comes to the Grand Tours and the Monuments, with a view to the resumption of the 2020 season. The UCI is multiplying its contacts with cycling’s families (AIOCC, AIGCP, CPA) and, as athletes are the focus of our concerns, with our sport’s riders’ representatives. Strong measures must be taken for the resumption, enabling a progressive return to training and competition for the riders while respecting their health and sporting equity. The UCI, together with its partners, will move forward united in the interests of cycling. We will communicate the result of these consultations shortly.