Stop the rumors. While Japan has just extended the state of health emergency because of an upsurge in Covid-19 cases in the country, the president of the Japanese organizing committee Yoshiro Mori, said on Tuesday that the Olympic Games of Tokyo will take place “no matter what” this summer.
“We need to move beyond debates about whether to hold them or not. The question is how we will organize them, ”he added during a meeting between the Tokyo-2020 committee and officials of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD) in power in Japan.
“Let’s think about a new kind of Olympic Games”
“Let us reflect on this occasion on a new kind of Olympic Games” again launched Mr. Mori, while the Japanese organizers have already expressed their desire to make the Tokyo Olympics a “model” for future editions, which could also be faced with health crises like that of the Covid-19.
Mr Mori’s statements came hours before Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga extended the coronavirus-related state of emergency in Tokyo and other departments across the country. This one-month extension covers 10 of the 11 departments currently affected by this measure.
A tightening of the conditions of access to Japan for non-residents has already forced the postponement of several sporting events, including a synchronized swimming test event also serving as an Olympic qualifying tournament, postponed to early May when it was due to take place. hold early March.
Torch Relay kicks off March 25 in Japan
The Olympic Torch Relay across Japan is still scheduled to start on March 25. The organizers of the Tokyo Olympics are due to present new details on their countermeasures against the coronavirus on Wednesday. Tough decisions on the number of spectators, going as far as possible closed doors, should be made in the spring.
A large majority of Japanese public opinion is currently opposed to hosting the Olympics this year, fearing it will worsen the pandemic in Japan, according to recent polls. But the organizers ruled out any further postponement or cancellation, and received the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as well as sportsmen from around the world.
