International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach hopes the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Games to next year can eventually help lead the world out of a "dark tunnel" following the coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, the IOC, Tokyo 2020 organisers and the Japanese government finally bowed to the inevitable as it was confirmed that the Olympics and Paralympics will now be held in 2021, in the summertime of that year at the latest.

Speculation has shrouded the viability of the 2020 Games since the initial Covid-19 outbreak in China at the turn of the year – with the pressure from national Olympic committees and international sports federations to postpone having mounted on a daily basis.

IOC president Bach stressed the rapid spread of the coronavirus and the impact on health around the globe meant the only way to "safeguard the athletes and everybody involved in the Olympic Games" and to help with containment, a postponement was agreed.

A postponement rather than cancellation means the cost implications for the IOC and the local organisers will be significant, but manageable, as broadcasters and sponsors instead gear up for what they hope will be a party at the end of the struggles in 2021.

"We will all be able to celebrate the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, even if it is only in 2021. You can be sure you can make your Olympic dream coming true," Bach said in a video on the IOC website.

The McLaren staff quarantined in Australia are set to arrive back home within the next 48 hours.

Sixteen members of the British team spent a fortnight in self-isolation in Melbourne after one of their colleagues contracted coronavirus.

League One Portsmouth announced a fifth player had tested positive for coronavirus, with Ross McCrorie joining James Bolton, Andy Cannon, Haji Mnoga and Sean Raggett.

The Rugby Football League, meanwhile, confirmed there will be no resumption of fixtures in the foreseeable future, having imposed a three-week shutdown from March 16 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.