Tokyo 2020 Olympics might get postponed: Japan PM
In a recent statement, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated that the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics looks unavoidable given the present scenario. Abe's comments came after Canada pulled out of the Games, owing to the coronavirus scare. This was the first acknowledgement about the fate of the Olympics by the Japanese PM as the outburst continues to rise globally. Here is more.
Cancelation is not an option, says Japan PM
The Japan Prime Minister voiced his opinion hours after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) sought four weeks to think about the alternatives regarding the postponement of Games. "If that becomes difficult, in light of considering athletes first, it may become inevitable that we make a decision to postpone," Abe said. He added, "Cancelation is not an option."
IOC sought four weeks for a decision
Earlier, the International Olympic Committee had announced that it may take four weeks to decide whether to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Games. It also added that a complete cancelation is not under consideration at the moment. This was the first such alarming statement by IOC. "The IOC is confident that it will have finalised these discussions within the next four weeks," the statement read.
Canada pulled out of Tokyo Olympics on Monday
On Monday, Canada became the first nation to pull out of the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. The Canadian Olympic Committee revealed that it won't give a go-ahead unless the games are postponed for a year. Similarly, the Australian Olympic Committee has asked the athletes to prepare for a Tokyo Olympics for the summer of 2021.
World Athletics president wrote a letter to IOC
World Athletics president Seb Coe also sent a letter to IOC, stating that holding the Olympics is not feasible presently. "No one wants to see the Olympic Games postponed but we cannot hold the event at all costs, certainly not at the cost of athlete safety," he wrote. He added, "A decision on the Olympic Games may become very obvious very quickly."
