Organisers do not rule out cancellation of Olympics at eleventh hour

Gulf Today Report
 
Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the Tokyo Olympics, ruled in the last minute cancellation of the Games if the COVID-19 cases are not contained.

Five active cases coronavirus positive have been found in the Olympic Village in Tokyo, where the athletes are putting up.

The rise in the coronavirus cases has already put the credibility of the biggest sporting event in jeopardy even before the kick-off.

Olympics, which were to be held in 2020, has already been postponed for a year due the pandemic and many right groups opposed staging the event during the pandemic.

But the organizers decided to go on with the event, making it a matter of national pride rather being concerned about the health and safety of the players.

Tokyo reported highest number of cases on Tuesday since Jan.21, 2021 according to a government portal. The spike in the cases prompted the questions about the cancellation of the event.

Muto said they are keeping an eye on the whole situation and he and co-ordinate with other organisers if needed.

"We will continue discussions if there is a spike in cases," said Muto.

“We have agreed that based on the coronavirus situation, we will convene five-party talks. At this point, the coronavirus cases may rise or fall, so we will think about what we should do when the situation arises."

The five parties involved in organising the Games are the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Japanese government, the Tokyo Metropolitan government, and the International Paralympic Committee.