Japan’s government has privately agreed that the Tokyo Olympics will have to be canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, The (London) Times reported on Friday, citing an unnamed senior member of the ruling coalition.
The government’s focus is now securing the Games for Tokyo in the next available spot, 2032, the newspaper said.
“No one wants to be the first to say so but the consensus is that it’s too difficult,” a government source told The Times. “Personally, I don’t think it’s going to happen.”
The Japanese government has privately come to the conclusion that this summer's #TokyoGames should be canceled as a result of #COVID19, per @thetimes. Tokyo will now turn its focus to securing the Olympics again in 2032. pic.twitter.com/x2KvErSANc
— Sports Business Journal (@sbjsbd) January 22, 2021
Recent polls have shown about 80% of Japanese people do not want the Olympics to be held this summer, over fears the influx of outside athletes and media will spread the virus further. The Games are scheduled to open July 23.
Thomas Bach, the the president of the International Olympic Committee, sought to dissuade doubts about the Games while not ruling out a cancellation.
Olympic officials are confident that the postponed Tokyo Games will happen this year on July 23 despite worries of surging COVID-19 cases around the world, especially in Tokyo, Japan pic.twitter.com/4xEBUkOR4J
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) January 21, 2021
“We have, at this moment, no reason whatsoever to believe that the Olympic Games in Tokyo will not open on the 23rd of July in the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo,” Bach told Kyodo News. “There is no Plan B and this is why we are fully committed to make these games safe and successful.”
VIDEO: ?? When the #TokyoOlympics were postponed last year, officials promised they would open in 2021 as proof of mankind's triumph over the coronavirus. But six months before the rescheduled start, fears are growing that the Games may not take place at all #AFPSports pic.twitter.com/rvHIu1k0vm
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 21, 2021
