Canada pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics over Coronavirus fears as Japan's prime Minister today admitted a delay may be inevitable and the International Olympic Committee said a decision should come within weeks.

Australia also told its athletes to prepare for a Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as expectations grew that the Games scheduled to start on July 24, would be postponed as the virus crisis convulses the globe.

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told parliament that Japan was still committed to a complete Games, but added, if that becomes difficult, in light of considering athletes first, it may become inevitable that we make a decision to postpone.

It was the second major concession in a matter of hours after the IOC said, the scenario of postponement was one of the options under consideration, with a final decision due within four weeks.

IOC President Thomas Bach wrote open letter to athletes after emergency talks that Human lives take precedence over everything, including the staging of the Games. Bach said cancellation would not solve any problem and would help nobody.