Tokyo Olympics cancelled amid COVID-19 concerns? Japanese government denies claim

Japan's government has privately concluded that Tokyo Olympics scheduled for later this summer will have to be cancelled because of coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.  Games were catalogued to be held in 2020 but were postponed by a year due to COVID-19 outbreak. However,  recent surge in confirmed cases has raised many doubts over Olympics being held in Japan. It is believed that officials of International Olympic Committee (IOC) are w working to quiet concerns over potential cancellation of Olympic Games later this year. 

ALSO RE: Japan's PM Vows Olympics Will Be Proof Of Victory Over Virus

Tokyo Olympics cancelled? Reports suggest Summer Olympics in Japan may be scrapped

On Friday, reports from Times claimed that  Japanese government h privately concluded that Tokyo Olympics, which were scheduled to be held this year, will have to be cancelled due to  pandemic. newspaper cited an unnamed senior member of ruling party. It was also revealed that Japanese government is planning to focus on securing Games for Tokyo for next available year, 2032.

ALSO RE: Former IOC VP Pound Says Fans Optional For Tokyo Olympics

Are Tokyo Olympics cancelled? IOC chief provides an update

Games' organisers did t immediately comment on report. However, organisers and Japanese government have consistently vowed y will press ahe with preparations for Games scheduled to open on July 23. Thomas Bach, President of IOC also weighed in on issue. 

He said, "We have at this moment reason whatsoever to believe that Olympic Games in Tokyo will t open on 23rd of July in Olympic stium in Tokyo. That is why re is plan B and this is why we are fully committed to making se games safe and successful." Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Manabu Sakai also denied report of Olympics being cancelled and stated re was " truth" in rumour that was spre by Times. 

erly-anticipated Tokyo Olympics will officially run between July 24 and August 8 in 2021.

ALSO RE: Japan PM Suga Dismisses Reports Speculating Cancellation Of Tokyo Olympics 2021

Earlier this month, a survey conducted by Kyodo News found out that around 80 per cent of Japanese want Tokyo Olympics to eir be cancelled or delayed after a surge in coronavirus cases in Asian country. Results from survey confirmed that 35.3 per cent want Games to be cancelled and 44.8 per cent favoured ar delay.

Japan COVID-19 cases

According to Worldometer, Japan h 5,447 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday with 96 deaths. Japan has recorded a total of 4,743 deaths due to coronavirus. 

ALSO RE: Surveys Suggest 80% Of Japanese Against Olympics

Im Credits - AP