x

Tokyo 2020 Games organisers receive Olympic flame

Tokyo 2020 organisers received the Olympic flame in a scaled-down hand-over ceremony in Athens on Thursday, amid the coronavirus spread that has cast doubt on the global, multi-billion dollar event.

In a brief ceremony closed to spectators in Athens’ Panathenaic stadium, site of the first modern Games in 1896, the torch was received by Tokyo Games representative Naoko Imoto.

It will arrive in Japan on Friday and kick off a domestic relay on March 26, with the Games set to take place from July 24 to Aug. 9.

The scale of the spreading coronavirus, which has infected more than 200,000 people and killed more than 8,700 across the world, has forced the cancellation of numerous sporting events.

This has raised concerns about whether the Olympics will be able to open as planned.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Japanese government, however, have insisted the Games will go ahead.

Greece’s Olympic Committee chief Spyros Capralos handed over the lit torch to the Japanese former Olympic swimmer Imoto in front of empty stands inside the vast 50,000-capacity horseshoe-shaped marble stadium.

The flame was then transferred into a small receptacle to travel to Japan aboard a special aircraft named “Tokyo 2020 Go.”

Only a few dozen officials were allowed into the central Athens stadium as the country has imposed strict measures to contain the spread of the virus.

Tokyo Games chief Yoshiro Mori said in a video message he hoped the flame’s arrival would help “shake off the dark clouds hanging over the world.”

The plane will land at JASDF Matsushima Air Base in Miyagi Prefecture on Friday before the start of a domestic relay from Fukushima Prefecture, site of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.(Reuters/NAN)

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Gov. Ododo Commissions Boi’s Office to Boost Industrial Sector in Kogi

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji...

Ododo to Officials: Prioritise Grassroots, Local Support

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja The Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Ahmed...

Ododo Clears ₦98.8bn Kogi Debt

Gov. Ododo Offsets 98.8 bíllion debts inherited from Ex-govs...

oborevwori to Aides: Perform or Be Replaced

By Anne Azuka  Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has...

I Will Support “Asiwaju” To Win ln 2027, Wike Fires Back At PDP

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju The FCT Minister, Barr Nysome Wike, has...

Amaechi is Hungry For Power, Not Influential Politician – Wike

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju The FCT Minister Barr Nysome Wike has...

2025 Ballon d’Or: 3 PSG Stars Emerge as Top Contenders Ahead of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha

Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League triumph has positioned...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img