A worldwide group representing Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls is calling for the Tokyo 2020 Games to be postponed.

The athlete-led movement group, Global  Athletes,  has consulted "hundreds of athletes" to give their opinion on whether the Games should go ahead despite the coronavirus outbreak. 

Athletes including Great Britain's track cyclist Callum Skinner, para-powerlifter Ali Jawad and kickboxer Caradh O'Donovan are some of those behind the movement. 

They have concluded that 'public health must be a priority over sporting events' and that the Games should only go ahead when the pandemic is under control.

A statement read: "Sport has a duty of care to protect their athletes. By asking them to carry on as normal and continue to train for these Games, clearly puts their physical and mental health at risk.

"Athletes want to be part of a solution to ensure the Games are a success but under current global restrictions that are limiting public gatherings, as well as closing training facilities and borders, athletes do not have the ability to appropriately prepare for these games."

The Olympics are set to begin on July 24 with the Paralympics on August 25.