On Friday, the Times of London, citing an unidentified senior member of the governing coalition, reported that Japanese officials concluded in particular that the Olympics could not go on due to the ongoing pandemic. CNN did not independently verify this report, which the authorities in Tokyo were quick to refute.
In a statement, Tokyo 2020 organizers said that Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga expressed to them his determination to hold the Games, and that meetings were underway to ensure that they could move forward while implementing comprehensive countermeasures against infection and other precautions due to the pandemic.
“All of our delivery partners, including the national government, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, the IOC and the IPC are fully focused on hosting the Games this summer,” said the statement. “We hope that daily life can return to normal as quickly as possible and we will continue to make every effort to prepare for safe and secure games.”
Speaking in parliament on Friday morning, Suga said the Games “will be a symbol of humanity overcoming the new coronavirus, and a chance to show the world the reconstruction of Japan since the devastating earthquake and tsunami (2011).”
“We are determined to work closely with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee and the IOC to hold a safe Olympics,” said Suga.
Other Olympic officials also quickly denied the claims made by the Times.
“Unfortunately, I need to resolve the unfounded rumor that the Tokyo Games will be canceled,” Australian Olympic Committee CEO Matt Carroll told reporters on Friday. “Incorrect rumors create more anxiety for athletes in our sports. The Tokyo Games are on the rise. The flames will be lit on July 23, 2021. This was confirmed again by the Japanese Prime Minister this afternoon.”
In a Twitter thread, Canadian Olympic chief David Shoemaker said his team “was unaware of any decision made by the Japanese government as it is being reported”.
“The Canadian Olympic Committee is confident that the Games can be held safely and successfully, given what has been learned in sport in recent months and the emphasis that the IOC and the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee have placed on Covid- 19, “he said. “We continue to prepare to participate in Tokyo 2020 with a focus on the health and safety of our athletes, their families and their communities.”