The Japanese government is determined to continue with the Tokyo Olympics, organizers said this Friday, local time, after an unconfirmed report that the cancellation of the event could be imminent.
On Friday, the newspaper Times of London, reported that Japanese authorities had privately concluded that the Olympics could not continue due to the ongoing pandemic. The report cited unidentified senior members of the decision-making coalition as sources. Citizen Free Press has not independently verified this report, which Tokyo officials were quick to refute.
In a statement, the organizers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games said Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga expressed his determination to host the Games. They also indicated that meetings were being held to ensure they could move forward, while comprehensive infection countermeasures and other precautions are implemented due to the pandemic.
“All of our partners, including the national government, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, the IOC and the IPC, are fully focused on holding the Games this summer,” the statement said. “We hope that everyday life can return to normal as soon as possible. And we will continue to make every effort to prepare for a safe and secure Games. ”
Suga has yet to speak publicly on the issue and her office declined to comment when contacted by Citizen Free Press on Friday morning local time.