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Japanese government: Tokyo Olympics on thin ice because of covid | TribLIVE.com
U.S./World Sports

Japanese government: Tokyo Olympics on thin ice because of covid

Bret Gibson
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AP
People wearing face masks walk and ride past an Olympics decoration installed along a street in Tokyo.

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.”

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.

“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.”

Bret Gibson is a TribLive digital producer. A South Hills resident, he started working for the Trib in 1998. He can be reached at bgibson@triblive.com.

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