10,000 Olympic volunteers quit

Tokyo, June 3: The Tokyo Olympics chief said the Games would only be cancelled in extreme circumstances on Thursday as organisers revealed 10,000 volunteers had quit over Coronavirus fears, a sexism row and scheduling problems.

Exactly 50 days before the opening ceremony, Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto said the show would go on unless the pandemic stops a majority of teams from travelling.

“If various countries around the world experience very serious situations, and delegations from most countries can’t come, then we wouldn’t be able to hold it,” she told the Nikkan Sports daily.

“But conversely, unless such a situation emerges, the Games will not be cancelled,” she added.

The 2020 Games remain beset by doubts and low public support as Japan battles a fourth Coronavirus wave with much of the country, including Tokyo, under a state of emergency.

Late on Wednesday, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said around 10,000 of the 80,000 volunteers — vital to the smooth running of the Games — had quit, largely over coronavirus concerns.

Others dropped out after the Games were postponed, or in protest at sexist remarks made by Hashimoto’s predecessor

If various countries around the world experience very serious situations, and delegations from most countries can’t come, then we wouldn’t be able to hold it. But conversely, unless such a situation emerges, the Games will not be cancelled.

— SEIKO HASHIMOTO Tokyo 2020 president

who was forced to resign, Muto told Japanese media.

However, Muto said the reduction in volunteers would not affect the Games because the event has been scaled back, so fewer people are needed.

Overseas fans have already been barred, and a decision on whether to allow domestic spectators is expected after the state of emergency in Tokyo ends on June 20.

The number of overseas officials and participants has been cut by about half, to around 78,000, with calls for further reductions.

Organisers will unveil details of the medal ceremonies later on Thursday — the latest attempt to generate positive momentum.

Polls show 80 per cent of Japanese oppose hosting the Games this year. But surveys among the population of Tokyo have found a more even split between those in favour and against.