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JAPAN-OLY-JPN-2020-ABE-VIRUS-HEALTH
Postponing Olympics may become inevitable: Japan PM Abe
TOKYO, March 23, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Postponing the 2020 Olympics “may become
inevitable” if the new coronavirus outbreak makes it impossible to hold the
Games safely, Japan’s prime minister said Monday.
Shinzo Abe told parliament that Japan was still committed to a “complete”
Games, but added: “if that becomes difficult, in light of considering
athletes first, it may become inevitable that we make a decision to
postpone.”
The comments were his first acknowledging the possibility that the Games
may not open as scheduled on July 24 as the coronavirus continues to spread
across the world.
Overnight, the International Olympic Committee also shifted its tone on the
Games, saying it would step up planning for different scenarios, including
postponement.
“Cancellation is not an option,” Abe said, echoing comments from IOC chief
Thomas Bach, who ruled out scrapping the Games, saying it “would not solve
any problem and would help nobody”.
The IOC is responsible for making any final decision on the Games, and has
come under increasing pressure from athletes and sports associations
worldwide as the coronavirus crisis grows. The death toll from the virus —
which has upended lives and closed businesses and schools across the planet –
– surged to more than 14,300 Sunday, according to an AFP tally.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0817 hrs