Coronavirus: Tokyo 2020 could be postponed to end of year – Japan’s Olympic minister

Japan’s Olympic minister says the Tokyo 2020 Games could be postponed from the summer until later in the year amid fears over the coronavirus outbreak.

In a response to a question in Japan’s parliament, Seiko Hashimoto said Tokyo’s contract with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) “calls for the Games to be held within 2020”.

She added that “could be interpreted as allowing a postponement”.

The Games are due to be held from 24 July to 9 August.

“We are doing all we can to ensure that the Games go ahead as planned,” Hashimoto added.
IOC president Thomas Bach said last week that the organisation is “fully committed” to hosting the event as scheduled.

Under the hosting agreement the right to cancel the Games remains with the IOC.

A number of high-profile sporting events have already been cancelled or postponed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, including the 2020 World Athletics Indoor Athletics Championships and the Chinese Grand Prix, which was scheduled for 19 April.

The coronavirus, which originated in China, has spread to more than 60 countries and claimed more than 3,000 lives so far.