COVID-19: Could the Tokyo Olympics be cancelled?

11 Mar 2020 02:39AMLAUSANNE: The 2020 Olympics are due to open in Tokyo on Jul 24 but with coronavirus sweeping the world, there is growing concern that the Games will be either postponed or even cancelled.AFP looks at the options.A: Since the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896, the only reason that a Games has been cancelled is because of the world wars.

The IOC has told AFP:"We are working with the Tokyo-2020 Organising Committee for the success of the Olympic Games. We have confidence in them, in the Japanese public authorities and in the World Health Organization with whom we are in constant contact." However, Bach was in bullish form when he spoke to the press last week, saying:"The issue is not on the table and has not been considered."A: In theory yes. The IOC entrusts the organising committee with the mission of organising the Olympic Games in a specific year, in Tokyo's case 2020.

And given that the apartments in the Tokyo Olympic Village are set to be sold off as soon as the Paralympics are over, there may be nowhere to accommodate the athletes. But the Asia Sevens rugby tournament, a test event scheduled to be held in Tokyo in April, was cancelled on Wednesday, suggesting 'closed doors' is not a preferred option.

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