Tokyo Olympics could be held anytime in 2020, says Japan minister

Japan's Olympic minister on 3 March said the contract to hold the Tokyo Olympic games only specifies the event has to be held during 2020.

Seiko Hashimoto's response to a question in the upper house of parliament implies the Olympics could be held later in the year and would not have to start on 24 July as planned. The Tokyo Olympics are being threatened by a fast-spreading virus that has been blamed for 12 deaths in Japan and has shut down most sports competitions and Olympic-related events in the country.

"The IOC has the right to cancel the games only if they are not held during 2020," Hashimoto told parliament.

"This can be interpreted to mean the games can be postponed as long as they are held during the calendar year." Hashimoto explained.

International Olympic Committee officials and Tokyo organizers have repeatedly said they expect the Olympics to open on schedule. Others have suggested the spreading virus could force cancellation, postponement or moving events to other cities. Asked if she believed the Olympics should be still held even if the coronavirus outbreak is worse than it is now, Hashimoto said: "We are making the utmost effort so that we don't have to face that situation."

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