Olympics could be postponed, not cancelled, official says

The Summer Olympics would likely be postponed one or two years if they don’t go on as scheduled due to concerns about the coronavirus, a member of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee told The Wall Street Journal.

Haruyuki Takahashi told the newspaper in an article published Tuesday that other options — such as playing the Games without spectators or cancelling them entirely — would have substantial financial ramifications. Thus, a postponement would be the best option if the Games don’t begin as scheduled.

“I don’t think the Games could be cancelled. It’d be a delay,” Takahashi said. “The International Olympic Committee would be in trouble if there’s a cancellation. American TV rights alone provide them with a huge amount.”

IOC organizing committee president Yoshiro Mori said last month that the Olympic Games — which begin July 24 — are expected to go on as scheduled.

“I would like to make it clear again that we are not considering a cancellation or postponement of the Games,” Mori told IOC officials in Tokyo on Feb. 13.

Should a postponement be considered, it would cost a pretty penny for NBC. The network, which owns the Olympic broadcasting rights in the United States, announced last week it has already secured US$1.25 billion in advertising revenue ahead of the Games.

While money plays a significant role in decisions, it should be noted that the spread of the coronavirus has already had a significant impact on international sports around the world.

In Japan, pre-season baseball games have been played at empty stadiums. Officials of Nippon Professional Baseball announced Monday that the season, originally scheduled to open on March 20, will not get underway until some time in April at the earliest.