TOKYO – Olympics organisers are “unwavering” on holding the coronavirus-delayed Games this year but can’t rule out staging it without spectators, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said.
In an interview ahead of the Games’ six-month countdown, Muto conceded people are “anxious” as virus cases soar worldwide, including in Japan where Tokyo is under a state of emergency.
But he insisted the Olympics were still possible, even without requiring athletes and fans to be vaccinated, and that public opinion will swing behind the Games once the virus situation improves.
“We are not discussing cancellation,” he said yesterday.
“Holding the Games is our unwavering policy, and at this point in time we’re not discussing anything other than that.”
The spectre of cancellation has returned to haunt the Games 10 months after the pandemic forced the first peacetime postponement in Olympic history.
The deputy chairman of the 2012 London Olympics told the BBC yesterday that he believes the Tokyo Games are “unlikely” to go ahead, while one prominent former Olympian has called it “ludicrous” to stage the event.
Polling in Japan this month showed around 80% of respondents oppose holding the Games this year, even after organisers unveiled a raft of anti-virus measures.
Much remains uncertain, including whether foreign fans will be able to attend, or if spectators will be allowed at all.
Japan’s borders are currently all but closed to foreign visitors, and attendance at domestic events is limited to 5,000 spectators or 50% capacity, whichever is less. – AFP, January 20, 2021
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