Tokyo Olympics to go ahead as planned, 'no plan B': says IOC chief

GUWAHATI: International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach Thursday said the virus-delayed Tokyo Olympics will go ahead this summer, and there is "no plan B," in an interview.

"We have at this moment, no reason whatsoever to believe that the Olympic Games in Tokyo will not open on the 23rd of July," Bach told Kyodo News.

"This is why there is no plan B and this is why we are fully committed to making these Tokyo Olympics games safe and successful," he added.

Doubts have grown about whether the massive international event will be viable with the pandemic still raging across much of the world.

Tokyo organisers have come up with a host of measures that they said will allow the Games to go ahead, even if the pandemic is not under control, and without requiring vaccinations.

ALSO READ: Right wing leader Satya Ranjan Borah attacked; terms it as an “attack on Hinduism”

It needs mention here that public support for hosting the Olympics in Japan is low, with around 80 percent of respondents in recent polling favouring either a further delay or outright cancellation.

Tokyo 2020's CEO Toshiro Muto told AFP this week that organisers were "unwavering" in their commitment to holding the Games this summer and that cancellation had not been discussed.

But he conceded he could not guarantee the stands would be full, or rule out the possibility of a Games held without spectators.

A decision on whether foreign fans will be able to attend, and how many spectators will be possible, is expected this spring.

The Games are due to open on July 23, with the nationwide torch relay scheduled to kick off in late March.

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE. 

Download:                                                                   

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India. 

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast