Coronavirus: Japan’s Taro Aso calls Tokyo Olympics ‘cursed’ as ticket holders grow anxious amid cancellation fears

The minister said that extraordinary circumstances seem to overshadow the Olympics in 40-year intervals dating back to 1940, when the event was cancelled due to WWII

The organisers have played down a report that said ticket holders will not be refunded if the Games are cancelled

3-MIN READ3-MIN

Visitors pose for photos with the Olympic rings in Tokyo. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 3:25pm, 19 Mar 2020Updated: 3:28pm, 19 Mar 2020

Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso on Wednesday referred to the 2020 Olympics as “cursed” due to mounting speculation that the Games may need to be postponed or cancelled over the coronavirus pandemic.

The remarks made at a parliamentary panel by the gaffe-prone politician could spark criticism from athletes and people preparing for the Games this summer.

During a meeting of the Financial Affairs Committee of the House of Councillors, Aso, who doubles as Japan’s finance minister, pointed out that extraordinary circumstances seem to overshadow the Olympics in 40-year intervals dating back to 1940, when the expansion of war between Japan and China forced the abandoning of planned Summer Games in Tokyo and Winter Games in Sapporo.

In 1980, the Moscow Olympics were boycotted by many Western countries as well as Japan, in protest against the invasion by the then-Soviet Union into Afghanistan the previous year, Aso said.

With regard to concern about the risk of coronavirus infection during the 2020 Olympics, he said, “It is a pretty difficult decision, given spectators.”

“Being able to host the Olympics would move the people. It is desirable (for the Games) to be held peacefully,” Aso said, without elaborating further.