Next year’s Tokyo Games will have to be cancelled if the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t brought under control. The President of the organising committee warned, on any further delays.
Due to the spread of the virus, the auspicious event that pulls millions of people from all over the world once in four years had been postponed and scheduled to open July 23, 2021
The comments, in an interview with a Japanese sports daily published Tuesday, come as medical experts doubted whether the pandemic can be sufficiently contained by next year to hold an event drawing participants and spectators from around the globe
Tokyo 2020 president, Yoshiro Mori was explicit on his position when asked by the Nikkan Sports daily whether the Games could be delayed until 2022 if the pandemic remains a threat next year, replying: “No.”
“In that case, it’s cancelled,” Mori said.
Mori added that this is not the first time the Games would have been cancelled. The Games were cancelled only during wartime. The Games President went on to compare the battle against coronavirus to “fighting an invisible enemy”.
But recent comments will add to the growing questions about the postponement, decided last month after heavy pressure on the organisers and the International Olympic Committee from athletes and sports federations.
The head of the Japan Medical Association expressed concerns, saying that it would be “exceedingly difficult” to hold the Games next year if a permanent treatment for the virus isn’t found.
“I would not say that they should not be held, but it would be exceedingly difficult,” Yoshitake Yokokura told reporters.
However, in a counter remark, Tokyo 2020 spokesman Takaya said that even medical experts advised that it was too early to make a judgement on such a possibility.
In the interview, Mori also said organisers were considering holding joint opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympics and the Paralympics in an effort to cut costs.
Under the plan, the Paralympics would join the Olympic opening ceremony on July 23, and the Olympic closing ceremony would be integrated into the Paralympics closing event in September.
But Mori admitted that Tokyo organisers had not yet obtained the consent of the IOC and their Paralympic counterparts on that plan.
“It’s going to be a considerable cut in costs and a big message of victory against the global crisis, but it’s not easy,” Mori said.