Olympic organisers aiming for July 23 2021 start, but aware it is dependent on controlling the coronavirus first
Olympic organisers aiming for July 23 2021 start, but aware it is dependent on controlling the coronavirus first
Tokyo Olympic organisers are focusing on a July 23 2021 start for the Games, but realise that it is possible the coronavirus may not be under control in time.
SHOWS: TOKYO, JAPAN (MARCH 26, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS AL) 1.
VARIOUS OF TOKYO 2020 CEO, TOSHIRO MUTO, ARRIVING FOR TASKFORCE MEETING 2.
MUTO SITTING DOWN TOKYO, JAPAN (FILE - DECEMBER 15, 2019) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 3.
OLYMPIC RINGS OUTSIDE NATIONAL STADIUM 4.
VARIOUS EXTERIORS AND INTERIORS OF NATIONAL STADIUM TOKYO, JAPAN (FILE - JULY 24, 2019) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 5.
BACH SEATED WITH TOKYO 2020 OLYMPIC PRESIDENT YOSHIRO MORI (LEFT) 6.
ABE SEATED NEXT TO BACH 7.
VARIOUS OF ABE ARRIVING FOR CEREMONY TO UNVEIL MEDALS 8.
BACH ARRIVING 9.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, VARIOUS OF TOKYO GOVERNOR YURIKO KOIKE, MORI, BACH AND ABE STANDING DURING OLYMPIC ANTHEM 10.
VARIOUS OF MEDALS TOKYO, JAPAN (FILE - APRIL 28, 2018) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 11.
VARIOUS OF TOKYO 2020 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC MASCOTS, MIRAITOWA AND SOMEITY, BEING UNVEILED STORY: Tokyo Olympics organisers are focusing on their new Games start date in 2021, they stressed on Friday (April 10) -- even if the coronavirus outbreak complicates preparations for the remade extravaganza.
Last month, the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government agreed to postpone the Games, due to start in July this year, to 2021 because of the impact of coronavirus, which has killed over 89,000 people worldwide.
At his first remote news conference on Friday, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto emphasised that Games organisers were aiming towards the new start date of July 23, 2021, regardless of how long it takes to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
"I don't think anybody would be able to say it is possible to get it (coronavirus) under control by next July or not," said Muto.
"We certainly aren't in a position to give you a clear answer on that question.
"However, we have made the decision to postpone the Games by one year so all we can do is work hard to prepare for the Games in one year's time." Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced a state of emergency on Tuesday and, as of Friday, Japan has recorded over 6,000 cases of coronavirus and 112 deaths, according to NHK.
Because of travel restrictions imposed in the wake of coronavirus, Muto also announced that IOC President Thomas Bach's scheduled visit to Japan in May has been cancelled.
(Production: Andy Ragg, Mike Brock)
