Tokyo Olympic Games postponement ‘never discussed’, organisers insist

The Games were first postponed in March last year at the beginning of the pandemic

Jamie Gardner
Thursday 14 January 2021 15:42 GMT
Comments
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games postponed due to coronavirus pandemic

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The possibility of postponing the Tokyo Olympic Games for a second time has never been discussed, according to a spokesman for the Games organising committee.

Coronavirus infection rates are soaring in Japan, placing a question mark on whether the rescheduled Olympic and Paralympic Games can take place as scheduled this summer.

The Games were first postponed in March last year at the beginning of the pandemic, and Masa Takaya said the prospect of doing so again had not even been mentioned.

"To be very clear, we have never discussed another postponement of the Games," Takaya told Sky Sports.

"We have 100 per cent concentration and focus on the delivery of a safe and secure Games this summer.

"The Covid situation is of course still an ongoing issue for everyone in the world but we will deliver the Games this year, starting 23 July."

A state of emergency was declared in the greater Tokyo area last week while 80 per cent of respondents to a poll conducted by national news agency Kyodo News suggested the Games should be cancelled or delayed again.

Both the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee have consistently stated their commitment to their original schedules, with no indication of any mandatory reduction in terms of events or the numbers of athletes involved.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in