Tokyo Olympics may be cancelled amid rising COVID cases

Meanwhile, IOC President, Thomas Bach, has revealed that rescheduling the Tokyo Olympics “caused sleepless nights,” adding it must go ahead “to give hope” for the future.

“We can’t predict what will happen with the number of coronavirus cases,” Mr Muto, who heads the organising committee, said during a news conference.

Organising committee president, Seiko Hashimoto, said she wanted to “apologise from my heart for the accumulation of frustrations and concerns that the public has been feeling towards the Olympics”.

“I can admit that we did not know how complex this would be,” he said in a speech to mark the start of the 138th IOC Session in Tokyo.

Bach says cancellation “was never an option” despite the difficulties involved in hosting the event amid the COVID pandemic.

At this point, the coronavirus cases may rise or fall, so we will think about what we should do when the situation arises.” Major sponsors will not be present at the opening ceremony, it has been decided.

“The IOC never abandons the athletes,” said Bach.

“We have agreed that based on the coronavirus situation, we will convene five-party talks again.

REUTERS/Issei Kato The Tokyo Olympics – due to begin on Friday – could be cancelled at the last minute because of rising coronavirus cases, the Games’ chief has admitted, reports Skysports..

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