Tokyo (AFP)
Japan's Olympics minister said Wednesday "inconceivable" to postpone or cancel the Tokyo Olympics, as the epidemic of new coronavirus continues to raise questions about whether the event will continue this summer.
"From the point of view of the athletes who are the main players in the Tokyo Games, as they prepare for this event which only happens once every four years (...), this is inconceivable" d 'Cancel or postpone the event, said Seiko Hashimoto to Japanese parliamentarians.
The minister recognized, however, that "it is up to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to make the final decision on the Games".
"We think it is important that the government gives correct information so that the IOC can make an appropriate decision," she added.
The rapid spread of the Covid-19 virus, which has already infected more than 560 people and killed 12 people in Japan, has created a climate of uncertainty even as preparations for the Games (scheduled for July 24 to August 9) are in its final phase.
Ms. Hashimoto's statements come as a member of the Japanese Games organizing committee, Haruyuki Takahashi, said in Wall Street Journal columns that a one- to two-year postponement of the Tokyo Olympics was realistic they could not be maintained this summer.
The organizers are continuing the preparation of the Games as initially planned, however assured Hashimoto on Wednesday.
The Tokyo 2020 organizers also demanded "clarifications" from Mr. Takahashi.
According to a statement from the organizers, he explained to them that he had "inadvertently expressed his personal opinion in response to a hypothetical question".
"As IOC President Thomas Bach recently stated, neither the IOC nor the Organizing Committee are considering postponing or canceling the Tokyo 2020 Games, and we are continuing preparations" for the opening on the date initially planned, hammered the organizers again.
© 2020 AFP