Tokyo Games CEO denounces cancellation claims

In an interview with BBC, IOC president Thomas Bach had said the Games might be cancelled if the coronavirus cannot be controlled by next year. “Every year, you cannot change the entire sports schedule of major federations worldwide. You cannot have the athletes being in uncertainty,” Bach had said.

That actually echoed the view of Tokyo Games president Yoshiro Mori, who told Japan Nikkan Sports Daily last month when he was asked the same question. “In that case, it will be cancelled,” Mori had said. But Muto told reporters there is no “common understanding” between IOC and the Tokyo organiser about cancelling the Games beyond 2021.

“Mori was trying to say we should have the mentality to prepare the Games so that it can take place next year,” said Muto. “I don’t think they have a common understanding about cancelling the Games.” Asked if the Games could be held behind closed doors, Muto said, “We have more than one year until the Games. It is too early to have such discussion.

“We need to carry out measures to fight COVID-19. However, we don’t believe it is the time to answer specific questions related to countermeasures.” Earlier, Bach had said staging the Games without fans is just “speculation”. “This is not what we want,” he had said.

“The Olympic spirit is also about uniting the fans. This is what makes the Games so unique it is in an Olympic Stadium. Fans from all over the world are together. But when it comes to the decision, I would ask you to give me some more time for consultation with the athletes, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Japanese partners.”

A couple of months back, the Olympic Games was postponed by a year and will be held from July 23 to August 8, 2021.