Annemiek van Fruten supports the International Olympic Committee's decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics in the face of health concerns and risks from the coronavirus outbreak. The reigning world champion told Cycling News that he is more concerned about global health issues than sporting events.

"I wasn't surprised. Because I'm more interested in global health issues than I am in the Olympics.

"I thought that if the Games were not held now, they would be held on another day. It's especially nice to have the certainty that it won't be held."

Van Vleuten is a two-time time trial world champion (2017 and 2018) and won the road race title at the world championships in Harrogate last September. Since that victory, she has focused heavily on the Spring Classics, the Olympics, and the World Championships during 2020.

She started the season with a win at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, but the rapid spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) quickly disrupted the professional cycling calendar.

Public health concerns led to the cancellation or postponement of many top-level women's one-day races in China, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands between March and June: the Tour of Chongming Island, Strade Bianche, and Bevlijingslonde van Drenthe, Trofeo Alfredo Binda, Dreidage Bruges de Panne, Ghent-Wevelgem, Tour of Flanders, Ardennes Classic, and Women's Tour.

The IOC announced the postponement of the Olympics on Tuesday after weeks of doubt over whether they could be held as scheduled from July 24 to August 9 amid health risks surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

Some countries are on lockdown, others have established a state of emergency with health protocols in place: self-defense advisories and stay home; businesses, schools, and events are closed and canceled; and social gatherings of five or more people are not permitted. All this is to slow the spread of the virus, alleviate some of the overflow of medical services, and protect vulnerable populations.

"For the sake of global health, it is better to postpone the Congress. [Holding the Games] puts pressure on athletes. If the Games were still on, athletes would feel pressured and might take risks to continue training.

"Now athletes can focus, follow the (health) rules, and not have to stress about the Olympics. People are already stressed about staying indoors (to lock up and defend themselves) and the whole situation with the virus. They don't need to stress about the Olympics anymore."

Van Bruten said that postponing the Olympics was also important to allow for a fair selection process for athletes and to give athletes the opportunity to properly prepare for the Games during their typical race and training program.

"It's also a good decision because it wouldn't have been fair to have the Olympics at this point, because some athletes are really housebound and can't train," van Breuten said.

"I think the Olympics only need to be held when everyone is fairly prepared and it is equal for everyone. That's not the case right now, and we can't allow people to be deprived of the opportunity to qualify, not only in cycling, but in other sports as well."

Van Vleuten said that postponing the Olympics would eliminate the global concern over the coronavirus and allow the Olympics to be properly celebrated a year later.

"Fourth, if the Games are a year later, we can celebrate a great Olympics. If they held it this year, it would be a really weird Olympics, not just festive," she said.

"I hope next year will be a great Olympics, where we don't have to worry about coronavirus anymore. I hope so. I think health is the most important thing, and I want to have a great Olympics next year - which would not have been the case this year - so I think it's a good decision."