Tokyo Olympics are looking ‘unlikely’ - London organiser Sir Keith Mills

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.

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 for Britain in the 200 metres butterfly in 2004, says there is a desperate need for clarity.

“They need a deadline – the International Olympic

Committee need to say ‘we will make a call by this date’ because the worst thing is to be in limbo,” Parry said.

“I thought the Games were going to go on in 2020, but infection rates are leading to an extended period of uncertainty globally.”

Meanwhile, policing chiefs have “every confidence” the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will go ahead as planned, despite fears the timetable could be derailed by the global coronavirus pandemic.

West Midlands Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Matt Ward told policing board members it was his view the games “will be going ahead” next year. Mr Ward said: “As I sit here, I have absolutely every confidence the Games will go ahead in 2022, and with 18 months still to go, time is on our side."