TORONTO — The Canadian Olympic Committee said it would not send athletes to the Tokyo Games this summer and called for them to be postponed for a year, becoming the first country to threaten such a move in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Through a joint statement Sunday evening with the Canadian Paralympic Committee, it said it was willing to help the International Olympic Committee search for alternatives, but that “it is not safe for our athletes, and the health and safety of their families and the broader Canadian community for athletes to continue training towards these Games.”

“In fact, it runs counter to the public health advice, which we urge all Canadians to follow,” they added.

Canada sent 314 athletes, who combined to win 22 medals, to the Rio Games in 2016.

Some of its most notable performers included the swimmer Penny Oleksiak and the sprinter Andre De Grasse.