Expect Tokyo Olympics to go ahead as scheduled despite coronavirus concerns: Rijiju

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said he expects this year's Tokyo Olympics to go ahead smoothly despite fears being expressed over fate of Games amid vel coronavirus threat.

Olympic Games are scheduled to be held in July-August this year but a senior IOC member Dick Pound has said that event might have to be cancelled if deadly coronavirus outbreak is t brought under control by May.

"Virus China mein hai, Tokyo mein Nahi ( virus is in China t Tokyo)," Rijiju said in response to questions about Games on sidelines of a workshop to sensitise Indian athletes about Japanese etiquette and culture here.

Rijiju said current situation demands that nations come toger to fight crisis.

"We have to fight every situation toger. I expect Tokyo Olympics to start July 24 on time and go ahead smoothly," he said.

"World is a community, we have to support each or," he added.

coronavirus, which was first detected in Chinese city of Wuhan, has so far claimed over 2,000 lives.