The Olympic torch relay is not expected to travel the public streets of the city of Osaka due to the increase in cases of Covid-19.
This was reiterated by the local governor, even if the cancellation of the event has not yet been officially decided.
"We are sorry for the torch-bearers but we will not do the torch relay on the public streets of the city of Osaka - Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura told reporters - We will discuss with the organizers of Tokyo-2020 to see if there are other possibilities".
Subsequently, the President of the Organizing Committee of the Games, Seiko Hashimoto, announced at a press conference that the ceremony on the stage in Osaka for the Olympic torch was still in the balance. "We want to come to a conclusion as soon as possible, but discussions continue. We need to be flexible so we can adapt to changing events."
The Olympics will be held from 23 July to 8 August in Tokyo, after being postponed for a year due to the pandemic. The Olympic torch relay started on March 25 in Fukushima (northeastern Japan). The flame is expected to pass through Osaka County on April 13 and 14, starting with Sakai City and ending with Osaka City.