Asked about cancellation or postponement plans... IOC Coordination Commission Chair "None"
Japan extends emergency measures in 4 areas including Tokyo Metropolis until the end of this month
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for July will open as planned.
According to AFP and other foreign media on the 8th (local time), IOC Coordination Commission Chair John Coates responded "No" to questions about plans to cancel the Tokyo Olympics at the annual meeting held in Sydney.
Chairman Coates stated that even without a vaccine, measures against COVID-19 have been devised, adding, "The situation is improving now, and the Olympics will proceed as scheduled."
He also added that when Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met with U.S. President Joe Biden on the 16th of last month, he conveyed his intention to hold the Tokyo Olympics on schedule.
Chairman Coates expressed confidence that the safety of athletes and the Japanese public can be protected. On the 6th, Pfizer announced that it would donate vaccines to athletes and staff participating in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
The problem is that the spread of COVID-19 infections in Japan continues. On the 7th, the Japanese government extended the state of emergency period until the end of this month in Tokyo and other metropolitan areas by 20 days, and additionally declared a state of emergency in Fukuoka and Aichi prefectures.
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