London 2012 chief: Tokyo is ‘unlikely’

London 2012 chief Sir Keith Mills has poured fresh doubt on whether the delayed Tokyo Olympics will take place, insisting rising coronavirus rates make it ‘unlikely’ to happen.

Tokyo organisers and the International Olympic Committee are adamant the Games will start in July despite a fresh wave of infections sweeping the globe.

But Mills said: ‘Sitting here and looking at the pandemic around the world, in South America, in North America, in Africa and across Europe, it looks unlikely.

‘If I was sitting in the shoes of the organising committee in Tokyo, I would be making plans for a cancellation and I’m sure they have plans for a cancellation.

‘I think they will leave it until absolutely the last minute in case the situation improves dramatically, in case the vaccinations roll out faster than we all hope.’

A state of emergency has been extended in Japan to combat rising coronavirus rates, while a recent news agency poll suggested up to 80 per cent of Tokyo residents think the Games will be either cancelled or postponed again.

But World Athletics president

Lord Coe is confident the event will go ahead this year. ‘I don’t think it will be cancelled,’ Coe remarked. ‘It is going to be a challenge, we know that, it is pretty self-evident.

‘But of all the countries on the planet that has the fortitude and the resilience to see this through, it is Japan. I wake up as a federation president grateful that Japan is dealing with this and not some other places I could think of.

‘I am sure there will be big issues with crowds, and just think about the Olympic Village, too. You have got 10,500 athletes and another 7,000 support staff in there. They are all wanting to eat at the same time, and that is just a slither of the challenge.

‘For the athletes it will be a different experience. I think the Games will take place but they will look different.’

Despite Coe’s optimism, the current situation makes it hugely difficult for athletes to prepare for the Games.

Cancellation of the Games would have a big impact on the national psyche in the opinion of former Olympic swimmer Steve Parry.

‘For a country of 60-70million we have dominated, we were second on the medal table last time,’ he said.

‘It’s a huge source of national pride. It’s easy to dismiss that and say ‘this is elite sport, it doesn’t really matter’ but the fact of the matter is we achieve greater participation when we see national heroes performing like Rebecca Adlington, Chris Hoy, Mo Farah (pictured) and so on.’

At present, two athletes from the Portsmouth area have been selected for Tokyo - Hayling Islander Eilidh McIntyre (sailing) and Paralympian Lorraine Lambert (shooting).

Contact The News sports desk email sport@thenews.co.uk or phone head of community sport Simon Carter on 02392 622141.