According to a report in The Times, Japan’s government has decided that the Tokyo Olympic Games cannot take place and the country will set its sites on bidding for the next available Games in 2032.
The Japanese government has privately concluded that the Tokyo Olympics will have to be cancelled because of the coronavirus, and the focus is now on securing the Games for the city in the next available year, 2032 https://t.co/bsuB9wMt30
— The Times (@thetimes) January 21, 2021
Earlier today we reported that there were conflicting views of the possibility the Games would actually take place this summer – with the former CEO of the London Olympic Games telling the BBC that it was “unlikely” the Games would go on, while Canada’s Richard Pound, a former vice-president of the IOC and current IOC president Thomas Bach were both optimistic the Games would take place.
According to the Times reporting, the Japanese government is now trying to “find a face-saving way of announcing the cancellation that leave open the possibility of Tokyo playing host at a later date.”
Tokyo and some surrounding areas have been in a lockdown since Jan. 7 due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Recent polls suggest that 80 percent of the population are against the country hosting the Games in the midst of the pandemic.
Last year Canada was one of the first countries to declare that it wouldn’t be sending teams to the Olympics and Paralympics, making the announcement on March 23, 2020.
Tonight David Shoemaker, the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), sent out a series of tweets regarding the reports, saying that the COC has not received any official information from the Japanese government and that Canada will “continue in our preparation to participate at Tokyo 2020 with a focus on the health and safety of our athletes, their families, and their communities.”
We are unaware of any decision taken by the Japanese government as is being reported. Official information regarding the Games will be communicated through the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee. (1/3)
— David Shoemaker (@DShoemaker_COC) January 22, 2021
The Canadian Olympic Committee has confidence that the Games can be staged safely and successfully given what has been learned in sport over the last several months and the emphasis the IOC and Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee have placed on COVID-19 countermeasures. (2/3)
— David Shoemaker (@DShoemaker_COC) January 22, 2021
We continue in our preparation to participate at Tokyo 2020 with a focus on the health and safety of our athletes, their families, and their communities. (3/3)
— David Shoemaker (@DShoemaker_COC) January 22, 2021
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