IOC: Tokyo 2020 won’t be canceled over coronavirus crisis

(Field Level Media) The games will go on.

That’s the message from the International Olympic Committee at the start of a two-day meeting with organisers of the 2020 games in Tokyo.

“I would like to make it clear again that we are not considering a cancellation or postponement of the games. Let me make that clear,” organising committee president Yoshiro Mori told top IOC officials in Tokyo yesterday.

The declaration comes after Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the Tokyo Olympics committee, commented that he was “seriously worried that the spread of the infectious disease could throw cold water on the momentum toward the Games.” Muto changed his tune the next day.

Japan has at least 250 confirmed cases of coronavirus.

The summer Olympics are scheduled to begin in five months.

Multiple sporting events have been canceled in China, including the indoor track and field championships, Formula One Chinese Grand Prix and the Blue Bay LPGA tournament. Chinese athletes are being prohibited from traveling.