At the same time Canada "urgently called" on the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, and World Health Organization, to postpone the games for a year.
A statement from Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic committee said "While we recognise the inherent complexities around a postponement, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our athletes and the world community."
Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic committee said it had taken "the difficult decision" to withdraw after consulting athletes, sports groups, and the Canadian government.
Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe had already hinted that the games might be postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Australia has already told its athletes to prepare for the Olympics to take place in 2021, saying it was “clear” they would not be able to go ahead this year on July 24 as scheduled.
In a statement on its website dated 22 March, the International Olympic Committee said its executive board was to “step up its scenario-planning for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020”.
The IOC said its discussions would ‘include the scenario of postponement” and said it expected to reach a decision within the next four weeks.
