The International Olympic Committee has insisted it expects Tokyo 2020 to go ahead as planned despite fears the Games might have to be delayed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The IOC announced on Tuesday that they remain committed to staging the event as scheduled between July 24 and August 9 after Japan’s Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto suggested it could be postponed until later in the year with more than 90,000 Covid-19 cases and in excess of 3,000 deaths confirmed globally.
A statement from the International Olympic Committee’s executive board said: “The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) today expressed its full commitment to the success of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, taking place from 24 July to 9 August 2020.
“The IOC EB heard a report on all the measures taken so far to address the coronavirus situation, which was followed by a comprehensive discussion.
“A joint task force had already been created in mid-February, involving the IOC, Tokyo 2020, the host city of Tokyo, the government of Japan and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The IOC EB appreciates and supports the measures being taken, which constitute an important part of Tokyo’s plans to host safe and secure Games.
“The IOC will continue to follow the advice of WHO, as the leading United Nations agency on this topic.”
Speculation that the Games could be delayed had mounted earlier in the day after Hashimoto had told the Japanese parliament that the organising committee’s agreement with the IOC could allow for such a scenario.
She said: “The contract calls for the Games to be held within 2020. That could be interpreted as allowing a postponement.”
The coronavirus is having an increasing impact on sport as governing bodies attempt to protect athletes and spectators at the same time as responding proportionately.