The health of the athletes preparing for the Olympics this summer will not be endangered despite the coronavirus pandemic, according to the British Olympic Association.

At this stage the Games are still going ahead as planned despite the rest of the sporting calendar being devastated by the COVID-19 outbreak.

And while British stars such as Katarina Johnson-Thompson have come out and said it is currently 'impossible' to train for the Games under the circumstances, the BOA have reassured athletes that their health will not be put at risk.

In a statement, they said: "We can be categorically clear that we will not endanger the health and wellbeing of the athletes or wider delegation at any point.

"As of the date of this statement, the IOC and the local Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (TOCOG) have confirmed there is no change to the status of the Games happening between 24 July - 9 August 2020.

"The BOA will support the ongoing decision-making process and input wherever necessary."

Meanwhile, International Olympic Committee member Sir Craig Reedie believes the Olympics taking place this summer would be a powerful sign of to the world that things can go on as normal amid a global crisis.

He added: "With all the sport that's being cancelled and the huge holes there are in everybody's diary it really would be a gesture of hope and expectation if the biggest sport event in the world could actually go ahead properly organised, in safe conditions - safe for athletes, safe for officials, safe for spectators.

"That's a big ask but my understanding is every effort is being made in Tokyo and in Lausanne to deliver just that."