TOKYO: As concerns increased that Japan’s dream of hosting the Olympic Games could be a fatality of the spread of the new coronavirus, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday expressed its full commitment to the success of the Games and Japan’s Olympic Minister raised the possibility of Tokyo 2020’s dates being “adjusted”.
Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto, responding to a question in Japan’s upper house of parliament, said Tuesday the contract to hold the Tokyo Games only specifies the event has to be held during 2020.
“The IOC has the right to cancel the games only if they are not held during 2020,” Associated Press quotes Hashimoto as having told parliament.
“This can be interpreted to mean the games can be postponed as long as they are held during the calendar year.”
Meanwhile, the IOC’s executive board (EB) assserted it was fully committed to the success of the Games, “taking place (emphasis ours) from 24 July to 9 August 2020”.
The official statement issued after the IOC’s meeting reads: “The IOC EB heard a report on all the measures taken so far to address the coronavirus situation, which was followed by a comprehensive discussion.
“A joint task force had already been created in mid-February, involving the IOC, Tokyo 2020, the host city of Tokyo, the government of Japan and the World Health Organization (WHO). The IOC EB appreciates and supports the measures being taken, which constitute an important part of Tokyo’s plans to host safe and secure Games.
“The IOC will continue to follow the advice of WHO, as the leading United Nations agency on this topic. The IOC EB expressed its thanks to WHO for its continued valuable advice and cooperation.
“It also praised the great unity and solidarity of the athletes, National Olympic Committees, International Federations and governments. It welcomed their close collaboration and flexibility with regard to the preparations for the Games, and particularly the qualification events. All stakeholders continue to work closely together to address the challenges of the coronavirus.
“The IOC EB encourages all athletes to continue to prepare for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The IOC will keep supporting the athletes by providing the latest information and developments, which are accessible for athletes worldwide on the Athlete365 website.”
The biggest advantage the Olympics seem to have is time, as many health officials are hopeful that the virus will be better contained by the summer.
