The Olympic and Paralympic Games were postponed last week due to the pandemic, with the International Olympic Committee and Tokyo 2020 confirming new dates for the events today.

The Olympics will be held from July 23 to August 8 next year, with the Paralympic Games following between August 24 and September 5.

"The ONOC Athletes’ Commission wholeheartedly supports the IOC decision to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games until 2021 to protect the health and safety of all athletes, officials and our wider community," an ONOC Athletes’ Commission statement read.

"We applaud the positive attitude of athletes all over the world and in doing so, we respect our fellow athletes, and agree that everyone is given an equal opportunity to qualify and prepare.

"Our community spirit, our togetherness and our oneness, bind us and make us strong, as we sail through the uncharted times ahead.

"As natural voyagers and warriors, we are resilient, assertive, decisive, creative and agile people, so we encourage you to use your instincts and tap into these attributes to remain active and healthy and to continue to live out the Olympic values in your homes, your villages, your townships, your communities, your cities, and your respective countries."

The Athletes’ Commission vowed to support athletes in the region during the coronavirus pandemic, which seen at least 740,000 confirmed cases and more than 37,000 deaths worldwide.

The Commission said it would listen to athletes’ voices and concerns, as well as understanding their challenges and providing ONOC with feedback.

The body added that it would advocate for athletes’ needs, while saying it remained in discussions with ONOC and the IOC Athletes’ Commission.

The Commission encouraged athletes to act as ambassadors in their local community by practicing and advocating all hygiene protocols aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus.

"All of us are connected through the Ocean," said Karo Lelai, who chairs the ONOC Athletes ‘Commission.

"Now, more than ever, we need to support each other through these difficult times by showing solidarity.

"Despite borders, we are all Pacific people and part of the global village.

"The Olympic Games would not be the Olympic Games if we did not do the right thing and put humanity first.

"It is now time to put your health and that of your family and community first.

"We have prevailed through natural disasters and other diseases and we will do so with COVID-19. 

"Let’s recalibrate, re-strategise and refocus, eyes on the prize people."