Feature: Fate of Tokyo Olympics still in question with six months until start

The delayed Tokyo Summer Olympics will reach the six-months-to-go mark on 23rd July amid a long list of lingering questions including whether the event will even take place with the global pandemic still not under control. The uncertainty caused organisers in Japan to scrap any public programmes to mark the milestone as Tokyo faces becoming the first cancelled Olympic Games since World War 2.

Tokyo and other parts of Japan are under an emergency order because of surging coronavirus cases with about 4,500 deaths attributed to COVID-19. Instead of a countdown celebration, the focus is on the virus and speculation around the Olympics being canceled. Recent polls show 80% of people in Japan want the Olympics canceled or postponed.Among them is Shintaro Yamanaka, a 38-year-old businessman who wishes the games to be cancelled.

"Even if Japan was able to curb the coronavirus, I don't think we can welcome athletes considering the current situation. It should be canceled," said Yamanaka on Thursday. "The money we spend on (the games) should be used for anti-virus measures instead."A final decision on whether to hold the Olympics or not is expected to be announced until around 25th March – the date that organisers in Japan had floated as the start date of the torch relay.

(Image Credit: AP)