(Therednow) – USA Swimming called for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to be postponed for a year on Friday, joining a chorus of growing international concern about the safety of the Games amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The heavily decorated swimming program expressed its concerns in a letter to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, who had earlier said athletes should continue their preparations for the Games.

“We have watched our athletes’ worlds be turned upside down,” USA Swimming CEO Tim Hinchey wrote.

“The right and responsible thing to do is to prioritize everyone’s health and safety and appropriately recognize the toll this global pandemic is taking on athletic preparations.”

The coronavirus outbreak has infected over 250,000 people and killed more than 10,000, bringing global sport to a virtual standstill.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has pressed on during the health crisis, saying the July 24-Aug. 9 spectacle will go ahead as scheduled.

Responding to the USA Swimming letter, the USOPC said it understands the stress swimmers are under due to the uncertainty created by the outbreak, but noted there were other athletes that want every opportunity to compete in Tokyo.

“We have also heard from athletes that they want the Olympic and Paralympic community to be very intentional about the path forward – and to ensure that we aren’t prematurely taking away any athletes’ opportunity to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games until we have better clarity,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland and Chair Susanne Lyons in a joint-statement.

“The USOPC is in constant communication with senior leadership of the IOC and IPC (International Paralympic Committee).

“They believe that it is premature to make a final call on the date of the Games and we believe that we should afford them the opportunity to gather more data and expert advice before insisting that a decision be made.”

USA Swimming’s letter followed a similar request from UK Athletics chairman Nic Coward, who earlier on Friday said the Tokyo Olympics should be called off to spare athletes the stress of trying to train in the middle of the pandemic.

Colombia’s Olympic Committee also said the Games should be postponed if the epidemic is not under control soon.