Tokyo 2020, Japan could give up if Covid-19 cases increase
“Japan could give up the Tokyo Olympics if the increase in coronavirus cases in the country made the event impossible.” It is reported by Toshihiro Nikai, general secretary of Liberal Democratic Party within the Japanese government, to the Japanese news agency Kyodo News regarding the holding of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics already postponed by one year following the Covid-19 pandemic. Japan is grappling with a increase in coronavirus infections and in Osaka yesterday recorded a record 1,130 new cases.
“If the situation is impossible we have to make a decision without hesitation. What would be the meaning of the Olympics if we spread this infectious disease to many people during the Olympics? “, These are the words with which he continued Toshihiro Nikai. The report from the high official within the Japanese government is the first time that in 2021 the actual holding of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and therefore also the Paralympics, of Tokyo 2020 is questioned.
The new dates for the five-circle event are July 23 – August 8 2021. The absence of foreign audiences is already certain and in the coming weeks it will be assessed whether and in what terms there will be the presence of Japanese spectators. Experts say Japan is going through a fourth wave of Covid-19 with official data showing more than 36,000 active cases and variant strains putting enormous pressure on the health system. The Japanese government, the metropolitan city of Tokyo, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee and the International Olympic Committee however, they are continuing to prepare for the Olympics.