Egan Bernal (Team Ineos), the reigning Tour de France champion, believes that the Tokyo Olympics, scheduled to run from July 24 to August 9, should be postponed until next year due to the current coronavirus crisis.

According to L'Equipe, Bernal made the comment on Sunday when he participated in a Facebook live training session organized by a Colombian supermarket.

According to the French sports newspaper, "Given the current global situation related to the coronavirus, I don't think the Olympics should be held on the dates planned.

"Personally, I am in favor of postponing the Games for a few months and holding them next year. 'Because this threat is far more important than the Tour de France or the Olympics.'

The 23-year-old from Colombia, who finished fourth overall in the coronavirus-stricken 2020 season in the national championship time trial and road race, as well as the Tour Colombia 2.1 stage race, will be looking to defend his title at this summer's Tour de France and the He had his sights set on both defending his Tour de France title this summer and a gold medal in the hilly road race at the Olympic Games in Japan. Although he did not specifically mention the Tour, his comments suggest that this year's race (scheduled to run from June 27 to July 19, before the Games) may be rescheduled for a later date.

Bernal then returned to Europe to prepare for the main season, but is now back at home in Colombia, abiding by government regulations that require a 14-day quarantine period for athletes arriving from abroad.

Two days ago, Bernal was tested for the coronavirus and tested negative, but announced that he will train at home, pushing the Ministry of Sports' "I train at home" initiative to ensure Colombians' health care during the coronavirus outbreak.