Tokyo Olympics to Hold in Summer Even Without Vaccinations

Tokyo Olympics to Hold in Summer Even Without  Vaccinations

Tokyo Olympics organisers have announced that they are not willing to see the event held behind closed doors – and that the Games “will take place this summer”.

International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound said recently there could be no guarantees of the postponed 2020 Games going ahead from 23 July.

But a spokesman says it could even happen without the need for athletes or spectators to be vaccinated.

“Our position remains – we will deliver the Games,” Masa Takaya said.

“The IOC have made it clear that they are absolutely on the same page as Tokyo 2020.”

Takaya told BBC Scotland’s The Nine that a decision on how many fans will be allowed inside venues in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic will be taken in March.

“We are not willing to see the Games taking place behind closed doors,” he said. “We obviously want to see as many spectators as possible inside the venues, which is why we have been working tightly with the Japanese government and all international stakeholders, spearheaded by the IOC.

“We will see in spring how we can accommodate spectators inside the venues. We also have to see what guidance we get from the government regarding spectators and look at the situation around sports, both internationally and nationally.”

Takaya also dismissed a recent survey suggesting 80% of locals want the Games cancelled or postponed, saying that it was just one of a number of such polls.

“Most recent surveys show people want the Games to be re-postponed, but in that trend we see that people are willing to see the Games go ahead in some form, which is why we want to keep conveying how we are able organise the Games in this situation,” he said.

Takaya said the Games could be delivered without mass vaccination, pointing out that “lots of sporting events are taking place in Japan” without one.

“Our counter measures on Covid-19 are working under the assumption that we will not have a vaccine, so even if we do not, our plan is that we will be able to deliver the Games,” he said.

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