Japan Ready for Olympics Despite Coronavirus, Says PM
JapanPrimeMinisterShinzoAbesaidthe Tokyo Olympic Games will go ahead as planned in July, despite coronavirus concerns resulting in the postponement of sporting events. Abe however added that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would have the final decision whether Tokyo 2020 goes ahead. “Wewillovercomethespreadoftheinfectionand host the Olympics without problem, as planned,” Abe said. Japan has had more than 1,400 cases and 28 deaths resulting from coronavirus. The Tokyo Games is expected to cost about 1.35 trillion yen (£10.26bn), organisers said in December.
The Japan section of the Olympic Torch relay is due to start in Fukushima on March 26. The recent torch-lighting ceremony in ancient Olympia was held without spectators, before the rest of the relay inGreecewassuspendedtoavoidattractingcrowds.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike yesterday vowed to take thorough measures against the coronavirus outbreakfortheOlympicTorchrelaythroughJapan and reaffirmed that preparations for a “safe and secure” 2020 Games were progressing.
Koike’s comments came after Greece’s Olympic CommitteeonFridaycancelledtheremainderofthe Olympic Torch relay through the country to avoid attracting crowds that could raise the risk of virus contagion.
“We’re taking thorough infection measures with regards to the Olympic Torch relay domestically,” Koike said according to TV Asahi, adding that preparations for a safe and secure Games were moving forward.
The Greek portion was cancelled after what organisers described as “unexpectedly large crowds” gathered when the flame visited Sparta on Friday - but organisers insist the procession will go ahead “safely” in Japan.
Organisers also maintain that the handover ceremony will go ahead at the Athens Panathinaiko Stadium on Thursday (March 19) but it will be held withoutpublicattendance,withsimilararrangements in place to those at the Flame lighting ceremony in
Olympia.
AHellenicOlympicCommittee(HOC)statement said:“Despitestrongrecommendationstothepublic not to focus on the ceremony in the flame crossing cities,theHOCtookthedifficultbutnecessarydecision to cancel the rest of the programme on Greek soil.
“The decision was made in consultation with the ministry of health and the International Olympic Committee with a deep sense of responsibility, as publichealthistheultimategoodandinthesedifficult times a reasonable attitude is imposed by all sides.”
HollywoodActorGerardButlerdidcarrytheflame inSpartabeforethecancellation.Hehadbeeninvited by the city to do so as part of the celebrations for the anniversary of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC.