Olympians Allyson Felix, Michael Phelps confront ‘wave of emotions’ after cancellation

For many athletes, the decision to push the 2020 Tokyo Olympics back a year shortens their athletic prime, a move that left two of America’s most decorated Olympians focusing on the long-range consequences of the decision even as they called it the right one.

Michael Phelps, the swimmer who won more gold medals than any other Olympian, raised concerns about athletes’ mental health, a point of emphasis for him since his retirement, and Allyson Felix, the most decorated female track and field athlete, offered a message of hope amid the uncertainty of the moment.