Abe: Games impossible if pandemic not contained
Print Edition
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said yesterday that the Tokyo Olympics could not take place next year unless the coronavirus pandemic is contained, as the city’s governor called for an extension of the nationwide state of emergency.
The International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government last month postponed the Games until July 2021 because of the pandemic.
With the epidemic’s worldwide infection rate climbing and experts suggesting a vaccine is a long way off, doubts have been raised about the chances of holding the huge event next year.
“We’ve been saying the Olympic and Paralympic Games must be held in a complete form, in that athletes and spectators can all participate safely. It would be impossible to hold the Games in such a complete form unless the coronavirus pandemic is contained,” Abe said in response to an opposition lawmaker.
Abe’s summary of the situation was later underlined by IOC President Thomas Bach.
“The IOC fully agrees with the position of Prime Minister Abe,” Bach said.
“From the very beginning of this crisis, we established the principle that the Olympic and Paralympic Games can only be organized in a safe environment for everyone involved. This principle has driven all our decisions so far, and we remain committed to it in the future.”
The prime minister said yesterday that the Olympics “must be held in a way that shows the world has won its battle against the coronavirus pandemic,” and cautioned that Japan should “brace for a protracted battle.”
Tokyo confirmed 47 new infections yesterday, private broadcaster Nippon TV reported. The national tally stands at 13,895 infections, including 413 deaths. While that tally is still low compared to other nations, critics say Japan is not doing enough testing to reveal the scope of a problem that has piled pressure on some hospitals.
Reflecting that view, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters that the situation in the capital remained “difficult” and called on Abe’s cabinet to extend the nationwide emergency, which is due to end on May 6.
Abe’s comments echoed statements made by other senior Japanese officials this week.
Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori told Nikkan Sports on Tuesday that the Games would be “scrapped” if they could not take place in 2021. Also on Tuesday, the head of the Japan Medical Association Yoshitake Yokokura, told a news briefing that “unless an effective vaccine is developed, I expect hosting the Olympics will be difficult”.
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