Coronavirus: Japan keeps planning for Tokyo Olympics after IOC confirms event will go ahead

The International Olympic Committee said that there is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage despite challenges posed by the pandemic

Canada said moving ahead with the event would be ‘irresponsible’, but organisers maintain the games will start as planned on July 24

3-MIN READ3-MIN

People take selfies in front of the giant Olympic rings at the waterfront area at Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:38pm, 18 Mar 2020Updated: 9:44pm, 18 Mar 2020

Japan’s Olympics organisers will continue with preparations for the Tokyo Games this summer, emboldened by the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) statement that the games will go ahead as planned despite challenges posed by the coronavirus outbreak.

The push to go ahead follows mounting calls to at least delay the competition. Alejandro Blanco, president of Spain’s Olympic Committee, suggested postponing the events, and Canadian ice hockey player and IOC member Hayley Wickenheiser said moving ahead with the games would be “insensitive and irresponsible.” Last week, US President Donald Trump suggested the games should be pushed back a year.

“The IOC remains fully committed to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and with more than four months to go before the games there is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage; and any speculation at this moment would be counterproductive,” the sports body said in a statement.

“The IOC encourages all athletes to continue to prepare for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 as best they can,” the statement said, adding, “The IOC has confidence that the many measures being taken by many authorities around the world will help contain the situation of the Covid-19 virus.”

The IOC agreed with the international sports federations to advance their preparations for the games to begin on July 24, although the current situation is “unprecedented” for the whole world.