US soccer star Megan Rapinoe said that she would be "devastated" if this year's Tokyo Games get cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. As per the World Cup-winning player, her teammates will be disappointed if they miss out on such a "major championship".&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ioc-reacts-to-reports-of-tokyo-olympics-getting-cancelled-says-it-is-categorically-untrue-358581" hreflang="en">IOC reacts to reports of Tokyo Olympics getting cancelled, says it is 'categorically untrue'</a>

"We just do everything we can to keep our environment safe, prepare the way that we can, understanding, much like last year, it could likely not happen again," Rapinoe, who scored twice in Friday's 6-0 friendly win over Colombia, told reporters.

"That would be awful. Personally, I'd be devastated. A lot of my teammates would be devastated to miss out fully on a major championship because I don't think it would be postponed again.

"Someone will tell us at some point, but until then we just keep training and keep playing these games."

The United States women's soccer team won last of their four Olympic gold medals at London in 2012 and are currently the reigning World Champions.&nbsp;

Rapinoe said she understood the implications of bringing the global community together for "technically, a non-essential kind of thing".

"We understand we're in a global pandemic. Our country being one of those that's been hit hardest or handled it the worst," Rapinoe, the 2019 Ballon d'Or winner, said.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/if-the-worst-happens-swimming-australia-eyes-plan-b-in-case-of-tokyo-cancellation-358779" hreflang="en">'If the worst happens': Swimming Australia eyes Plan B in case of Tokyo cancellation</a>

"We're focused on every day. Eventually, someone will tell us if the Games are happening."

Earlier on Friday, The Times reported that the Japanese government has privately concluded that the Tokyo Olympics will have to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. &nbsp;

However, the International Olympic Committee on Friday reacted to the speculations of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 getting cancelled as the IOC dismissed all the reports while terming it "categorically untrue". &nbsp;

While Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Manabu Sakai dismissed the report, the IOC has given an official statement saying that "they will be implementing all possible countermeasures against COVID-19 and will continue their preparations for holding a safe and secure Games this summer".&nbsp;

US soccer star Megan Rapinoe said that she would be "devastated" if this year's Tokyo Games get cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. As per the World Cup-winning player, her teammates will be disappointed if they miss out on such a "major championship".

US soccer star Megan Rapinoe said that she would be "devastated" if this year's Tokyo Games get cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. As per the World Cup-winning player, her teammates will be disappointed if they miss out on such a "major championship". ALSO READ: IOC reacts to reports of Tokyo Olympics getting cancelled, says it is 'categorically untrue' "We just do everything we can to keep our environment safe, prepare the way that we can, understanding, much like last year, it could likely not happen again," Rapinoe, who scored twice in Friday's 6-0 friendly win over Colombia, told reporters. "That would be awful. Personally, I'd be devastated. A lot of my teammates would be devastated to miss out fully on a major championship because I don't think it would be postponed again. "Someone will tell us at some point, but until then we just keep training and keep playing these games." The United States women's soccer team won last of their four Olympic gold medals at London in 2012 and are currently the reigning World Champions. Rapinoe said she understood the implications of bringing the global community together for "technically, a non-essential kind of thing". "We understand we're in a global pandemic. Our country being one of those that's been hit hardest or handled it the worst," Rapinoe, the 2019 Ballon d'Or winner, said. ALSO READ: 'If the worst happens': Swimming Australia eyes Plan B in case of Tokyo cancellation "We're focused on every day. Eventually, someone will tell us if the Games are happening." Earlier on Friday, The Times reported that the Japanese government has privately concluded that the Tokyo Olympics will have to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, the International Olympic Committee on Friday reacted to the speculations of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 getting cancelled as the IOC dismissed all the reports while terming it "categorically untrue". While Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Manabu Sakai dismissed the report, the IOC has given an official statement saying that "they will be implementing all possible countermeasures against COVID-19 and will continue their preparations for holding a safe and secure Games this summer".

Women's soccer star Megan Rapinoe says Tokyo Games cancellations will 'devastate' her and team

Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan said the US women's national team will appeal against defeat in their equal pay lawsuit on Monday, describing the &nbsp;judge's ruling in the case as "shocking".

In a widely unexpected decision on Friday, Judge Gary Klausner rejected the US women's claim of pay discrimination, finding in favour of the United States Soccer Federation.

Although the judge said claims of gender discrimination in areas such as travel, housing and medical support could proceed to trial, the equal pay part of the lawsuit -- the central plank of the women's case -- had been dismissed.

Speaking on ABC television's Good Morning America program on Monday, Rapinoe and Morgan voiced dismay at the outcome but pledged to fight on.

"We were just shocked," Morgan said. "This decision was out of left field for us. I think for both sides it was very unexpected. We will definitely be appealing and moving forward.&nbsp;

"If anyone knows anything about the heart of this team, we are fighters and we will continue to fight together for this."

In dismissing the equal pay claim, Judge Klausner said the case was unwarranted because there was evidence the women had previously turned down an offer in the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations to be paid along the lines of the US men's team.

However Rapinoe challenged that part of the judge's decision.

"The men's contract was never offered to us and certainly not the same amount of money," Rapinoe said.

"I think so many women can understand what this feeling is of going into a negotiation, knowing equal pay is not on the table, knowing anywhere close to your male counterparts is not even on the table."

Rapinoe also said the fact that the women had earned more than the US men during the period where pay discrimination was alleged was also misleading.

In the period in question, the women's team played 111 games and earned $24.5 million. The men played 87 games and made $18.5 million. The men's figure however would likely have been substantially higher had they qualified for the 2018 World Cup.&nbsp;

"If we were under the men’s contract, we would be making three times more," Rapinoe said.&nbsp;

"So you can look at the total compensation. In that time that we've made just a little bit more, we've won two World Cups and we've won just about every single game that we've played in.&nbsp;

"So the rate of pay is just so different. It's just so frustrating."

The US women, who clinched back-to-back World Cup wins with victory at last year's finals in France, had been seeking back pay of $66 million under the US Equal Pay Act.

Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan said the US women's national team will appeal against defeat in their equal pay lawsuit on Monday, describing the judge's ruling in the case as "shocking".

Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan said the US women's national team will appeal against defeat in their equal pay lawsuit on Monday, describing the judge's ruling in the case as "shocking". In a widely unexpected decision on Friday, Judge Gary Klausner rejected the US women's claim of pay discrimination, finding in favour of the United States Soccer Federation. Although the judge said claims of gender discrimination in areas such as travel, housing and medical support could proceed to trial, the equal pay part of the lawsuit -- the central plank of the women's case -- had been dismissed. Speaking on ABC television's Good Morning America program on Monday, Rapinoe and Morgan voiced dismay at the outcome but pledged to fight on. "We were just shocked," Morgan said. "This decision was out of left field for us. I think for both sides it was very unexpected. We will definitely be appealing and moving forward. "If anyone knows anything about the heart of this team, we are fighters and we will continue to fight together for this." In dismissing the equal pay claim, Judge Klausner said the case was unwarranted because there was evidence the women had previously turned down an offer in the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations to be paid along the lines of the US men's team. However Rapinoe challenged that part of the judge's decision. "The men's contract was never offered to us and certainly not the same amount of money," Rapinoe said. "I think so many women can understand what this feeling is of going into a negotiation, knowing equal pay is not on the table, knowing anywhere close to your male counterparts is not even on the table." Rapinoe also said the fact that the women had earned more than the US men during the period where pay discrimination was alleged was also misleading. In the period in question, the women's team played 111 games and earned $24.5 million. The men played 87 games and made $18.5 million. The men's figure however would likely have been substantially higher had they qualified for the 2018 World Cup. "If we were under the men’s contract, we would be making three times more," Rapinoe said. "So you can look at the total compensation. In that time that we've made just a little bit more, we've won two World Cups and we've won just about every single game that we've played in. "So the rate of pay is just so different. It's just so frustrating." The US women, who clinched back-to-back World Cup wins with victory at last year's finals in France, had been seeking back pay of $66 million under the US Equal Pay Act.

'Shocked' US women stars to appeal equal pay defeat

The United States women's soccer team down England's women soccer team 2-0 to begin the SheBelieves Cup in style on Thursday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/us-mens-team-slams-us-soccer-backs-equal-pay-for-women-players-280513">United States men's team slams US soccer, backs 'equal pay' for women national team</a>

Christen Press and Carli Lloyd's second-half goal sealed the victory for the United States. The goals were struck within three minutes of each other.

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100 caps for <a href="https://twitter.com/julieertz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JulieErtz</a> ✅ 
2-0 win vs. England ✅ 
 
It was a good night for the <a href="https://twitter.com/USWNT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USWNT</a>! <a href="https://t.co/2V3ECOIOIb">pic.twitter.com/2V3ECOIOIb</a>
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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/us-womens-team-fights-back-against-governing-bodys-pay-claims-254494">US women's team fights back against governing body's pay claims</a>

The reigning world champions continue their win-streak and take the toll to 29 games, whereas, England fail to avenge their semifinal loss in the World Cup against the US team at Lyon.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/it-was-much-appreciated-says-megan-rapinoe-after-men-show-solidarity-for-equal-pay-284357">'It was much appreciated', says Megan Rapinoe after men show solidarity for equal pay</a>

The victory got sweeter for the American women's soccer team as they did not start the match with their star striker Megan Rapinoe. Coach Vlatko Andonovski could afford to leave the striker until she was introduced in the 62nd minute.

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That <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USAvESP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USAvESP</a> game on Sunday is going to be 🔥. <a href="https://t.co/hVS3z2ooc0">pic.twitter.com/hVS3z2ooc0</a>
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English team's manager Phil Neville is worried as the team has won just two of their seven fixtures. The four-nation round-robin tournament champions will gear-up for their next clash against Japan.

The English side had few encouraging moments in the match but their poor defending cost them the match.

US's women soccer team is going through a dispute with the US soccer federation for 'equal pay'. Team's star striker and Ballon d'Or winner Megan Rapinoe praised the men's team (US) for supporting their cause.

The United States women's soccer team down England's women soccer team 2-0 to begin the SheBelieves Cup in style on Thursday. Also read: United States men's team slams US soccer, backs 'equal pay' for women national team Christen Press and Carli Lloyd's second-half goal sealed the victory for the United States.

The United States women's soccer team down England's women soccer team 2-0 to begin the SheBelieves Cup in style on Thursday. Also read: United States men's team slams US soccer, backs 'equal pay' for women national team Christen Press and Carli Lloyd's second-half goal sealed the victory for the United States. The goals were struck within three minutes of each other. 100 caps for @JulieErtz ✅ 2-0 win vs. England ✅ It was a good night for the @USWNT! pic.twitter.com/2V3ECOIOIb — espnW (@espnW) March 6, 2020 × Also read: US women's team fights back against governing body's pay claims The reigning world champions continue their win-streak and take the toll to 29 games, whereas, England fail to avenge their semifinal loss in the World Cup against the US team at Lyon. Also read: 'It was much appreciated', says Megan Rapinoe after men show solidarity for equal pay The victory got sweeter for the American women's soccer team as they did not start the match with their star striker Megan Rapinoe. Coach Vlatko Andonovski could afford to leave the striker until she was introduced in the 62nd minute. That #USAvESP game on Sunday is going to be 🔥. pic.twitter.com/hVS3z2ooc0 — U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) March 6, 2020 × English team's manager Phil Neville is worried as the team has won just two of their seven fixtures. The four-nation round-robin tournament champions will gear-up for their next clash against Japan. The English side had few encouraging moments in the match but their poor defending cost them the match. US's women soccer team is going through a dispute with the US soccer federation for 'equal pay'. Team's star striker and Ballon d'Or winner Megan Rapinoe praised the men's team (US) for supporting their cause.

Team USA begin their SheBelieve Cup in style after beating England