COVID-19 may force IOC to cancel 2020 Olympics

President of the International Olympic Committee - IOC, Yoshiro Mori, has hinted at the possibility of cancelling the Tokyo 2020 Olympics if the coronavirus pandemic lasts longer than expected.

The 2020 Olympics has been postponed by a year to be held between the dates of July 23 and Aug. 8, 2021, due to the devastating effects of the pandemic.

In an interview with Japan’s Nikkan Sports daily, Mori was categorical when asked if the Olympics could be delayed until 2022 if the pandemic remains a threat next year, replying: “No.”

“In that case, it’s cancelled,” Mori said.

Mori said the Games had been cancelled previously only during wartime and compared the battle against coronavirus to “fighting an invisible enemy”.

If the virus is successfully contained, “we’ll hold the Olympics in peace next summer”, he added. “Mankind is betting on it.”

“I would not say that they should not be held, but it would be exceedingly difficult,” Yoshitake Yokokura told reporters at a briefing.

And last week a Japanese medical expert who has criticised the country’s response to the coronavirus warned that he was “very pessimistic” that the postponed Olympics can be held in 2021.

Punch/AFP