For the first time, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe admitted that the Tokyo Olympics might be postponed in a latter date because the sporting event cannot be held in its entirety due to the coronavirus disease or COVID-19 pandemic.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Sunday after an emergency meeting that it is stepping up its “scenario planning” for the 2020 Games. The committee is looking at a possible late start on July 24 or even a postponement.
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Abe said that cancelling Olympics is not an option, but delaying the sporting event is a likely scenario because of the COVID-19 threat.
“If that becomes difficult, we may have no option but to consider postponing the Games,” Abe said.
There has been a mounting pressure from athletes, federations and national committees to postpone the Games, but organizers are insisting that it should go ahead as planned.
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Reuters reported that the committee is now drafting possible dates for the Tokyo Olympics.
Japan had 37 deaths and 1,055 coronavirus cases. At least 13,000 people have died from the virus across the globe, mostly from Europe and China.
