2020 Olympics set to be held in Tokyo Japan by summer could
be postponed until later in the year, as Japan Olympic minister cite coronavirus
outbreak fears.
According to BBC Sports, Seiko Hashimoto told Japan
parliament that Tokyo is in talks with the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) to have the games held within 2020, which “could be interpreted as
allowing a postponement”.
The Games were scheduled to be held from July 24 to August 9
2020.
“We are doing all we can to ensure that the Games go ahead
as planned,” Hashimoto added.
However, the hosting agreement states that the right to
cancel the Games remains with the IOC.
Thomas Bach, IOC president said that the committee is
“very confident with regard to the success” of the Games in Tokyo.
“I would like to encourage all the athletes to continue
their preparations with great confidence and full steam,” said Mr. Bach.
World Sporting events that have already been cancelled or
postponed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, include the World Athletics
Indoor Athletics Championships and the Chinese Grand Prix, which was scheduled
for 19 April.
Coronavirus, which originated in China, has spread to more
than 60 countries and claimed more than 3,000 lives so far.
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