Following Canada, Australia tells athletes to prepare for 2021 Tokyo Olympics

Australian Olympic officials Monday said "it was clear" that the Tokyo Games could not go ahead as scheduled and told its athletes to instead prepare for the event in 2021. 

The decision was announced shortly after Canada said it's not sending athletes to Tokyo Games, which is due to held in July despite both the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government shifting their tones on the timing of the Games.  

Australian Team Chef de Mission for Tokyo Ian Chesterman said it's clear the Games can't be held in July. 

And Australian officials said they want to prioritize the health of athletes amid the pandemic and "an Australian Team could not be assembled in the changing circumstances at home and abroad."

Click here to read the full statement from Australian Olympic Committee.