next year’s Olympics will be cancelled if pandemic not over, says Games chief

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Kathmandu : The Tokyo Olympics 2020 could be canceled if the epidemic of corona virus (Covid-19) is not stopped by next year.

The pandemic has already forced a year long delay of the Games, which are now scheduled to open July 23, 2021, but Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori said no further postponement was possible.

The International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government had agreed to hold the postponed Olympics from July 23 to August 8, 2021. But Yoshiro Mori said it would not be possible to postpone it again.

In an Interview with Japan’s Nikkan Sports daily, Mori was categorical when asked if the Olympics could be delayed until 2022 if the pandemic remains a threat next year, replying : “No.” “In that case, it’s cancelled,” Mori said.

Mori recalled earlier that the Olympics had been canceled during the war, but described the current battle with Corona as a “war with the invisible enemy.” He says if the virus can be defeated, the Olympics can be held comfortably.

Under heavy pressure from athletes and sports associations, Japanese organizers and the International Olympic Committee agreed in March to a year long postponement of the games.