Tokyo 2020 and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) yesterday confirmed the Games would be held from July 23 to August 8, forcing a considerable reshuffle of the worldwide sports calendar.

GAISF is due to hold its World Combat Games in Kazakhstan's capital Nur-Sultan from May 3 to 9 and is also set to stage the second edition of the World Urban Games in 2021.

Dates for the World Combat Games, revived after being dormant since 2013, could be moved following confirmation of the timing of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The exact dates for the second World Urban Games, which made its debut in Budapest last year, have not yet been set by GAISF.

In a statement, the umbrella body said its multi-sport competitions in 2021 would be "scheduled in a way that considers Tokyo 2020 and the Olympic Movement".

GAISF President Raffaele Chiulli welcomed confirmation of the timing of Tokyo 2020, the first Olympics to be postponed in the event's history.

"GAISF's members stand shoulder to shoulder in their willingness to do everything they can to ensure that international sport resumes effectively as soon as it is appropriate to do so," Chiulli said.

"In a time of unprecedented uncertainty, one constant has been the willingness of the IOC and Japan to provide an exceptional opportunity for athletes to shine. 

"For this, we are very thankful."

According to latest figures, the COVID-19 virus has killed more than 38,000 people and infected nearly 790,000 worldwide.