x

Japan will scrap Tokyo 2020 Games if not held in 2021, official says

Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori says the Olympic Games, already postponed to 2021, will be “scrapped” if it can not take place then.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Japanese government last month postponed the Games until July 2021 because of the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

With the epidemic’s worldwide infection rate climbing and experts suggesting a vaccine is still a long way off, questions are being asked.

The questions are about whether the huge setpiece event might need to be delayed further.

“No. In that case, the Olympics will be scrapped,” Mori said in an interview with Japanese sports daily Nikkan Sports on Tuesday, when asked if the Games could be postponed again until 2022.

However the former prime minister remained confident the Games would go ahead in 2021.

“We have delayed the Olympics until next summer after we would have won the battle,” he was quoted as saying.

“The Olympics will be much more valuable than any Olympics in the past if we could go ahead with it after winning this battle. We have to believe this, otherwise our hard work and efforts will not be rewarded.”

Asked about Mori’s comments, Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya emphasised however that organisers were focusing on next year.

“New dates for the Tokyo 2020 Games have been set and our mission is to deliver the Games next year,” he told a news briefing.

“Mori only made his comment in his own thoughts,” Takaya added.

During the interview, Mori also suggested the Olympics and Paralympics might share opening and closing ceremonies instead of holding their usual separate ones.

Mori said this would cut costs, though the idea is further complicated by tickets already being sold for all four ceremonies.

Takaya said that this option had been mentioned but that no concrete plans had been made.

“(But) … due to the impact of coronavirus, the situation next year will be completely different,” he said. “(So) …we have to review key areas, including the ceremonies.”

Tokyo 2020 and the IOC are still assessing how much rearranging the Games will cost.

The budget was set at 12.6 billion dollars before the postponement and Japanese media reports have said the delay may add a further 300 billion yen (2.8 billion dollars).

Takaya said extra costs were still being finalised, adding that organisers had never mentioned “this concrete number of 300 billion yen.”

There have been more than three million documented coronavirus cases globally, with more than 210,000 deaths.

Hot this week

Nigeria @65: Northern CAN Urges Hope, Calls on Leaders to Strengthen Nation-Building

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaThe Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),...

Kaduna Police Arrest Notorious Armed Robbery, Vehicle-Snatching Gang Leader and Associates

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaThe Kaduna State Police Command has...

U.S. Advocacy Groups Reject Tinubu’s IPOB–Boko Haram Comparison, Demand Kanu’s Release

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaThree U.S.-based human rights and self-determination...

NYSC Members in Delta Urged to Drive Sustainable Development, Innovative Solutions

By Anne AzukaDelta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has charged...

Amnesty International Urges FG to Cut Political Spending, Prioritize Economic Diversification

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaAmnesty International has called on the...

UIO Urges FG to Enforce Safety Standards in Inland Waterways Transportation

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Ukomu Igala Organisation (UIO) has...

Coalition Praises Tinubu’s Reforms, Hails Tunji-Ojo’s Role in National Transformation

By Israel Adamu, JosA coalition of civil rights organizations...

Tinubu Approves 100Km Stretch of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Through Edo State

Umahi praises Gov. Okpebholo, contractor CBC for infrastructure effortsBy...

North Central Development Commission Pledges Transparency in ₦140bn Budget as NASS Reviews Estimates

By Israel Adamu, JosThe North Central Development Commission (NCDC)...

Zulum Approves Hospital, Water Facilities, Security Measures for Violence-Hit Kirawa Community

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaBorno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara...

Senator Lalong Chairs UNIJOS Alumni Lecture, Calls for Safeguards in Justice Delivery in Digital Age

Senator Simon Bako Lalong, representing Plateau South Senatorial District...

Amnesty International Urges FG to Cut Political Spending, Prioritize Economic Diversification

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaAmnesty International has called on the...

Kogi Government, FG Empower 8,600 Households with Cash Transfer Programme

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Kogi State Government, in partnership...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img