TOKYO – Preparations for the Tokyo Olympics will continue to be
on track despite the novel coronavirus outbreak, Japanese Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday told US President Donald Trump, who
suggested the games be postponed.
During the phone conversation, Abe told Trump about Japan's efforts
towards holding the Olympics, government spokesman Yoshihide Suga
told a news conference.
The two leaders agreed to coordinate closely with each other over the
holding of the events, Suga said.
About 11,000 athletes are expected to participate in the games, which
are set to kick off on July 24. The Paralympics are due to start on
August 25.
"The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo organizers are
not considering the cancellation or the postponement of the Games at
all," Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto also told reporters.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump said "I
just can't see having no people there, in other words, not allowing
people. Maybe, and this is just my idea, maybe they postpone it for a
year."
The president's comment came one day after the World Health
Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic.
The IOC said Thursday it was confident the Tokyo Games could be held
as planned.
The IOC remains "absolutely in line with our Japanese hosts in our
commitment to delivering safe Olympic Games in July this year."