London 2012 organiser says delayed Tokyo Olympics are looking ‘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 (IOC) insist the Games will start in July despite a fresh wave of infections around the globe. The opinion of Mills, who was chief executive of the London Games, was echoed by former Team GB star Steve Parry who urged organisers to set a deadline to say whether or not they will happen.

Mills told BBC Radio Five Live: "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.

The situation makes it hugely difficult for athletes to prepare for the Games, and Parry, a bronze medallist in the 200 metres butterfly in 2004, says there is a need for clarity.

"They need a deadline - the IOC need to say 'we will make a call by this date' because the worst thing is to be in limbo," said Parry. "I thought the Games were going to go on in 2020, but infection rates are leading to an extended period of uncertainty globally. When you have people in Japan saying they are not comfortable with the Games going ahead, that puts real pressure on the organisers and the IOC."

Olympic rowing gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent has suggested pushing Tokyo back to 2024, with future hosts Paris and Los Angeles going back to 2028 and 2032 respectively. Parry does not feel that would be the best approach.

"Athletes understand what cycle they're in," he said. "I think they would just have to strike it off, say 'we're done'. And that is hugely disappointing for those people that were going to host them."