Athletes sidelined by 1980 boycott say today's Olympians are saving lives

(Reuters) - Athletes impacted by the postponement of the Summer Games in Tokyo will need extra time to regain their fitness but can rest assured they are saving lives by not competing this year, members of the U.S. team that boycotted the 1980s Games said.

The COVID-19 crisis has forced the IOC to move this year's Games to 2021. American athletes also missed the 1980 Games in Moscow when the United States led a boycott against them over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.