Japan begins talks to put off Tokyo 2020 Olympics
By People Daily, March 23, 2020Tokyo, Sunday
Organisers of the Tokyo Olympics have finally begun making preparations to postpone the Games this summer, reports claim.
The biggest global sporting event, which is only held every four years, has been plunged into doubt as the coronavirus pandemic brings sport across the globe to a standstill.
Euro 2020 has already been pushed back until next year and other summer events such as Wimbledon look increasingly unlikely to happen.
But Japanese officials and International Olympics chief Thomas Bach have long been insistent that their Games will go ahead on July 24, despite the ever escalating crisis.
An official source close to the organising committee has now admitted, however, that discussions are underway to delay Tokyo 2020, with various plans and timeframes already being drawn up.
“Finally, we have been asked to make a simulation in case of a postponement,” the source, who is involved in the talks, told Reuters.
“We are making alternative plans, plan B, C, D, looking at different postponement timeframes.”
Meanwhile, another official source, also reported to be a senior member of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, said that time was running out to make a decision.
“The more they push the decision away … more and more preparations have to be made – this will cause cancellation fees to go through the roof.”
There has been a growing number of calls for the Games to be pushed back.
The Global Athlete movement have demanded both the Olympics and Paralympics be postponed having spoken to hundreds of athletes.
They said restrictions on public gatherings across the world in addition to training facilities being closed on a wide scale mean that stars are without the “ability to appropriately prepare for these Games.” -Dailymail