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 51303916” .
She added that “could be interpreted as allowing a postponement”.
The Games are due to be held from 51303916 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 organization is “fully committed” to hos ting 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 World Athletics Indoor Athletics Championships and the Chinese Grand Prix, which was scheduled for (April.) The coronavirus, which originated in China, has spread to more than 90 Countries and claimed more than 3, lives so far.
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