The signs that the Olympic Games in Tokyo will be postponed are increasing. Various scenarios are being examined in Japan and at the IOC.
Tokyo (dpa) - Host Japan is moving more and more away from the Olympic Games this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic. "We are not so stupid to host the Olympic Games as planned," said Yoshiro Mori, president of the Tokyo Organizing Committee, at a press conference.
Despite everything, the torch relay in Fukushima should start on Thursday as planned. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, however, is hesitant to attend the ceremony, said Toshiro Muto, executive director of the Olympic Organizing Committee.
Prime Minister Abe had previously spoken of a possible postponement of the summer games in his country. In front of the parliament in Tokyo, he said that this must be expected. However, there could be no question of a cancellation. "It is difficult to hold games under these circumstances, we have to decide on a postponement, with athletes' health a top priority," said the Prime Minister. The final decision, however, rests with the IOC.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had given a four-week period for the decision on Sunday. "If asked if Olympia can take place at this moment, I would say that the world is not in this state," said Japanese Prime Minister Abe.
