Japan may cancel the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics

The 2020 Olympics, which have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, could still be canceled if the outbreak continues into next year, said the president of the Tokyo Games on Tuesday.

Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori made his remarks in an interview with Japanese newspaper Nikkan Sports when asked whether another postponement would be considered if the coronavirus continued into 2021.

“No. It will be canceled then,” Mori noted.

“The Olympics were canceled in the past for problems like war. We are fighting against an invisible enemy now.”

The Olympics were rescheduled to take place on July 23, 2021 from this summer.

Mori said organisers are still working towards holding the Games. His remarks about a potential cancellation are in stark contrast with the continued messaging from International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who have said canceling the Games isn’t an option they’re considering.

Mori was clear about the significance of these Games, saying they could be “much more valuable than any Olympics in the past if we could go ahead with them after winning this battle.”