International Olympic chiefs weren’t going to make it official for another four weeks but a postponement of Tokyo 2020 now looks inevitable.

At the same time as Canada announced it wouldn’t be sending athletes to the event if it was held as scheduled in July this year, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has told its athletes to prepare for a Tokyo Olympics in the northern summer of 2021.

The AOC says an Australian team can’t be assembled for the Tokyo Games, which is scheduled to start on July 24.

Australian Olympic Committee CEO Matt Carroll told reporters on Monday he understands the Tokyo Government, Olympic organisers and the IOC will be considering postponing to 2021 in the coming month.

“We have athletes based overseas, training at central locations around Australia as teams and managing their own programs. With travel and other restrictions this becomes an untenable situation,” Carroll said in a statement on Monday.

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

“Our athletes have been magnificent in their positive attitude to training and preparing, but the stress and uncertainty has been extremely challenging for them.

“They have also shouldered the burden of concern for their peers around the world. That has been a consistent message to me.”

“While there will still be much to work out as a result of this change, the timing will allow athletes from around the world to properly prepare with the hope the coronavirus crisis will be under control.

“We are aware that for many such a postponement will present a range of new issues. But when the world does come together at the Tokyo Olympic Games they can be a true celebration of sport and humanity.”

It comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison said international travel restrictions put in place last week would apply to athletes.

Swimming Australia supported the AOC's decision to work towards a Tokyo 2021 Olympics.

“Swimming Australia has welcomed the acknowledgement by the AOC that an Australian Olympic team could not be assembled in 2020 considering current global circumstances,” a statement read.

The International Olympic Committee has refused to postpone the event but Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says a delay would be unavoidable if the games cannot be held in a complete way because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He was commenting on the International Olympic Committee’s plan to examine the situation over the next few weeks and make a decision, which could include the option to postpone.

Abe, speaking at a parliamentary session, ruled out the possibility of a cancellation.

Whether Japan can hold the Tokyo Games as planned from July 24 has been a major international concern as the COVID-19 outbreak has spread globally.

— AAP and AP