The land of the rising sun is battling a third wave of infections, putting the viability of the Games, already postponed a year, in jeopardy.
A Friday 22 January report in UK newspaper, the Times indicated the
Japanese government has privately concluded that the Tokyo Olympics will
be cancelled because of the coronavirus.
Quoting “a senior member of the ruling coalition”, The Times reported
that there is agreement that the Games, already postponed a year, are
doomed.
“No one wants to be the first to say so, but the consensus is that it’s too difficult,” the source said.
However, John Coates, the Australian Olympic Committee president and
International Olympic Committee vice-president, told the Sydney Morning
Herald that plans for the Tokyo Games are “proceeding fully”, saying
there had been no discussion among organisers about another postponement
or cancellation.
Japan's deputy chief cabinet secretary, Manabu Sakai swiftly responded , denying all claims.
The land of the rising sun is battling a third wave of infections
which have doubled over the past six weeks to about 338,000, according
to public broadcaster NHK, with 4,623 deaths.
The Tokyo Olympics is due to start on 23 July.