Published 11:29 IST, March 13th 2020

Trump suggests postponing Tokyo Olympics for another year amid coronavirus dread

Amid the unprecedented outbreak of deadly coronavirus, US President Donald Trump has suggested that Tokyo Olympics 2020 should be postponed for a year.

Reported by: Aanchal Nigam
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Amid unprecedented outbreak of dely coronavirus, United States President Donald Trump has suggested an 'idea' that Tokyo Olympics 2020 should be postponed for a year. While expressing his opinions on arrangement of event on March 13, Trump said that event, which is scheduled to begin on July 24, should be delayed because he would “like that better than having empty stiums all over place”. However, according to reports, US President has also said that he does t plan on making recommendation to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 

US President said, “It is very possible for Olympics maybe, I just can t see having people re, in or words, t allowing people. Maybe and this is just my idea, maybe y postpone it for a year.”

Trump's statements came amid heightened concerns of pandemic spreing throughout globe leing to first cancellation of an Olympic Games since World War II. Meanwhile, as death toll of fatal virus has w reached 4,983, after being discovered in late December, major sports including NBA basketball, European football and even Japan's sumo have eir been cancelled or restricted spectators to watch players. 

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Japan brushes off Trump's suggestions

According to international reports, Japanese government has brushed off Trump's suggestion to delay event and have said that it will be conducted as planned. Olympics Minister Seiko Hashimoto and Japan's top government spokesperson Yoshihide Suga said on March 13 just a few hours after US President me his suggestion that re were changes to plan to st event starting at July 24 even as confirmed cases of coronavirus have w reached 134,769.

Suga even said that Donald Trump h spoken to Shinzo Abe for 50 minutes about Tokyo Olympics, coronavirus, and ecomy on March 13. Moreover, Suga reportedly also said that US President h t brought up his idea of postponing event. Trump h also applauded venue of event and applauded Japanese Prime Minister for an “incredible job”. 

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(With ANI inputs)

11:29 IST, March 13th 2020