Under pressure amid global pandemic of Coronavirus reports are stating that Tokyo Olympics 2020 organisers have started drafting possible alternatives to holding the Olympics this summer.
International news agency Reuters quoted two sources familiar with the talks that are total contrast to the Japanese government’s stance that postponement is not an option.
Despite Coronavirus outbreak disrupting sports events around the world, Japan has been stubborn in saying that the Games will go on. The top government spokesman on Wednesday said Tokyo wasn’t preparing for postponement.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has staked his legacy as Japan’s longest-serving premier on the Games and is hoping for a boom in tourism and consumer spending. At risk is more than $3 billion in domestic sponsorship, an Olympic record, and some $12 billion spent on preparations.
“Finally, we have been asked to make a simulation in case of a postponement,” Reuters quoted one of the sources, an official close to the organising committee who is involved in drafting the scenarios.
As per News Agency both the sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.
“We are making alternative plans – plan B, C, D – looking at different postponement time-frames,” said the official, adding the scenarios included cost estimates for different delays.
Neither Tokyo 2020 organisers nor the International Olympic Committee (IOC) immediately responded to a request for comment. The government of Japan could not be reached for comment.
The options, which include scaling back the Games or holding them without spectators, would be debated by the organising committee at the end of March, the official said.
The second source, who is also close to the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, confirmed that postponement was being discussed, including delays of one or two years.