It's official ... the Tokyo Olympics have a new start date -- July 23, 2021.
The International Olympic Committee -- along with officials in Japan -- made the announcement together Monday morning .... deciding it was best to wait a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Games will run from July 23 to August 8.
Officials say there were 3 major considerations that guided their decision:
1. To protect the health of the athletes and everyone involved, and to support the containment of the COVID-19 virus.
2. To safeguard the interests of the athletes and of Olympic sport.