Media reports from the UK this week have suggested that the already postponed Tokyo Olympics will be cancelled as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
London's The Times reported that the Japanese Government has concluded that the Games cannot be held, with a senior member of Japan’s ruling coalition telling the newspaper “no one wants to be the first to say so but the consensus is that it’s too difficult.
“Personally, I don’t think it’s going to happen.”
Last week, Taro Kono became the first Japanese cabinet minister to admit a decision on hosting the Games was uncertain, admitting it "could go either way".
Due to host world sport's biggest event in just six months time, Tokyo is currently in a state of emergency after a surge of Coronavirus cases in the Japanese capital.
However, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga disputed The Times report, saying in Japan's Parliament today that Japan was determined to hold the Tokyo Olympics as planned.
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has also published a statement saying it believes the Games will go ahead, advising "both Japanese Prime Minister Suga and IOC President (Thomas) Bach have this week strongly reaffirmed their commitment to the Tokyo Olympic Games going ahead in July this year.
“The AOC is continuing its planning to ensuring the Australian Olympic Team arrives in Tokyo, competes and returns home safe and COVID-free.”
This week has also seen the BBC report that Sir Keith Mills, former Chief Executive of the London 2012 Olympics, as saying it is "unlikely" that the Tokyo Games will take place this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sir Keith told the BBC that organisers should now be "making plans for a cancellation".
With Japan's raising rate of COVID-19 infections, Sir Keith explained "I think they'll leave it to absolutely the last minute in case the situation improves dramatically, in case the vaccinations roll out faster than we all hoped. It's a tough call.
"Personally, sitting here looking at the pandemic around the world, it looks unlikely I have to say.
"If I was sitting in the shoes of the organising committee in Tokyo, I would be making plans for a cancellation and I'm sure they have plans for a cancellation. They've got another month or so before they need to make a call."
Sir Keith, who now chairs the Invictus Games for wounded military veterans, added "it's not just the infections in Tokyo, it's the infections in all the competing nations.
"The challenge is whether enough competitors and enough countries can visit Japan and make it a really viable games.
"We shouldn't forget the Paralympics. Many of the competitors have underlying health conditions so flying around the world competing will be a challenge for them."
In August James Warburton, Chief Executive of Seven West Media, owner of Australian Games broadcaster the Seven Network, cast doubt on whether the Tokyo 2020 Olympics would be held in this year, stating "at best it’s 50/50 at this point.”
Japan is currently in the midst of its third Coronavirus wave with case numbers at their highest since the pandemic began. A recent survey showed that roughly 80% of Japanese citizens believe the Olympics should be cancelled.
The Times report suggested that the Japanese Government has turned its attention to securing the next available Summer Olympic Games, in 2032.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia and New Zealand’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry. Having established the magazine in 1997, shortly after his relocation to Australia, he has managed its readership rising to over 11,500 and its acceptance as the industry journal for professionals in aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues.
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
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