Postponing or canceling the summer games is not an issue for the IOC - at least officially. Thomas Bach and Co. do not want to discuss such a scenario. It's different in Japan.
Tokyo (dpa) - No plan B and no deadline: Despite the spread of the new corona virus, the International Olympic Committee is adamant about holding the summer games in Tokyo.
"The IOC remains fully committed to the success of the Olympic Games," said IOC President Thomas Bach after an executive meeting. His spokesman, Mark Adams, added: "We expect the games to start on July 24th. All of the advice from the World Health Organization is that the games can take place."
The IOC vehemently refused to participate in speculation about a possible postponement or cancellation of the summer games. Japan's Olympic Minister, Seiko Hashimoto, took over instead, considering such a scenario and declaring a shift within this year theoretically possible. According to the game hosting contract, the IOC only had the right to cancel the games if the games were not held within 2020, Hashimoto said to a question in the national parliament's budget committee.
"This can be interpreted as meaning that the games can be postponed if the games take place within 2020," said the Olympic minister, according to the NHK television station.
Adams emphasized that there was also no deadline until when a decision had to be made about a possible postponement or cancellation. "We have made a decision and the decision is that the games can take place," said the IOC spokesman. The question of who could arrange for a corresponding postponement or cancellation was also not discussed. "We prefer to listen to the advice of the experts," said Adams. Adams also pointed out that the WHO does not currently classify the Sars-CoV-2 virus as a global pandemic and that there is no travel ban.
Instead, a task force has been in use since mid-February, consisting of the IOC, the organizing committee, the city of Tokyo, the Japanese government and, in part, the World Health Organization. "It is a constructive form of cooperation," said Bach, adding: "We remain very confident."
Due to the spread of the virus, there has recently been increased speculation that the games could be postponed or even canceled. Japan has had a dozen virus-related deaths to date. Most sporting events and pre-Olympic competitions have already been canceled in the country to prevent the spread of the new virus Sars-CoV-2. Bach encouraged all athletes "to continue preparing for the games - with full confidence and at full throttle".
Report from the broadcaster NHK (Japanese)
IOC announcement
Bach statement