Tokyo keeps preparing for Olympics despite WHO pandemic declaration

Japan said on Thursday it would continue to prepare for this summer’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics as scheduled, even after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic.

“There is no change to the government stance that we will make preparations for the Tokyo Olympics as planned, while coordinating closely with the International Olympic Committee, Tokyo organizers, and Tokyo’s city government,” government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told a news conference.

Tokyo’s organizing committee members also said the Olympics would be held as planned.

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“Nothing has changed significantly. We are working with the organizations involved to prepare for the games,” an unnamed senior official told Kyodo News.

However, Haruyuki Takahashi, a member of the Tokyo organizing committee executive board, told Kyodo on Wednesday that he would propose the Tokyo Olympics be postponed by one or two years rather than being cancelled due to the outbreak.

“We need to take a realistic approach” as the time is getting near, Takahashi told Kyodo.

He added a two-year delay would be easier for organizers to arrange since next year’s sports events are largely scheduled.

The Tokyo organizing committee denied knowledge of Takahashi’s suggestion.

The WHO declaration that the coronavirus has reached pandemic level comes about four and a half months before the Olympics, which start on July 24.

About 11,000 athletes are expected to participate in the Games. The Paralympics are due to start on August 25. (dpa)