Sebastian Coe has called on those wanting an answer about whether the Olympics will take place to be patient.

Yesterday, Katarina Johnson-Thompson said it is 'impossible' for athletes to train for the Games this summer because of the coronavirus outbreak potentially forcing it to be cancelled.

And while IAAF president Coe is understanding of the situation, he does not feel a rash decision needs to be made right now.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "Let's not make a precipitous decision when we don't have to four months out."

However, he did not rule out the Games could be postponed, adding: "If you had to ease that date, you'd have to ease it. It is possible. Anything is possible.

"The temperature in the room with the IOC is, nobody is saying we're going to the Games come what may."

Meanwhile, four-time Olympic gold medallist Matthew Pinsent believes the International Olympic Committee are refusing to make a decision now because they feel obliged to officials in Tokyo to keep the Games on for as long as possible.

He said: "I think they  feel a responsibility to Tokyo.

"We know having hosted in 2012 that seven-year build up is a crescendo of energy and concentration and effort on behalf of the city and on behalf of the nation and the government. Everybody takes a pride in it.

"I know that Tokyo have done exactly the same and actually the financial stakes are much higher for the host city than they are for the IOC."