Coronavirus
No discussion on delay or cancellation of Tokyo Olympics — Japan PM Shinzo Abe
Concerns over this years Olympics have grown since the spread of the virus which has now claimed over 5,000 lives globally.
Coronavirus outbreak has not hampered preparations for Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Japan is gearing up to host the event, said the country's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on 14 March.
Concerns over this years Olympics have grown since the spread of the virus which has now claimed over 5,000 lives globally. Sports events -- which include qualifying tournaments for the Olympics -- across the globe have either been suspended or postponed. The virus has infected more than 700 people across Japan and been linked to 21 deaths.
But Abe assured that Japan is taking all necessary steps to prepare for the quadrennial event.
While there are fears that the games could be cancelled or postponed, Abe informed in a press conference that no such discussion has happened in a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump.
"We agreed that Japan and the US will cooperate and closely coordinate for success in the Olympics," Abe said.
IOC chief Thomas Bach told German television broadcaster ARD on 12 March that the body would follow recommendations by the World Health Organization but that work continued for a successful Games. He acknowledged however that cancellations of Olympic qualifiers are starting to pose "serious problems".
Games are scheduled to start from 24 July.
On 12 March The Olympic flame for the 2020 Tokyo Games was lit in ancient Olympia on amid an unprecedented health lockdown as Greece registered its first death from coronavirus. Following the torch lighting ceremony the torch relay was cancelled in the country.
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