Japan maintains its intention to host the Tokyo Olympics

“We are going to beat the contagion and host the Games without problem, as planned,” said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

• Trump.
  

  Blow to the Games: “Maybe a year will be postponed”
  

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised that Tokyo would host the Olympics as scheduled in July, despite doubts raised by the coronavirus pandemic, which has prompted the postponement or cancellation of numerous sporting events around the world.

Abe said he has no intention for now to enact a state of emergency against the spread of the virus, which has infected more than 700 people in Japan, with 21 deaths. “We are going to organize the Olympic Games as planned, without problems, controlling the spread of the virus,” said the head of the Japanese government at a press conference, two days after US President Donald Trump suggested a postponement of one year of the Games. “In close coordination with those responsible, including the IOC (International Olympic Committee), there is no change in this regard,” added Abe.

The global pandemic caused by the new coronavirus has infected more than 151,000 people worldwide, with more than 5,700 deaths in 137 countries, according to AFP counts, according to official figures. This situation in turn has led to the postponement, suspension or cancellation of numerous sporting events and have raised many questions about the opportunity to maintain the Games.

Since the spread of the virus from Asia to the rest of the planet, the organizers of the Games, the Japanese government and the IOC have insisted that the preparations continue and exclude any postponement or cancellation.

Chat with Trump

Abe interviewed Trump after the protests by the American leader. “We agreed that Japan and the United States will cooperate and coordinate closely for the success of the Games,” explained the Japanese prime minister, assuring that they had not spoken of an eventual postponement.

The IOC President Thomas Bach He indicated that his instance would follow the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) when making the decision of a possible postponement and admitted that the postponement of several qualifying tournaments for Tokyo “already creates serious problems” for the organization. of the Olympic event.

The Japanese parliament voted on a text that gives Abe the power to declare a state of emergency to combat the spread of COVID-19, but the prime minister believes that at the moment it is not necessary to take this measure immediately. This resource would allow local authorities to impose house confinement on the inhabitants, close educational centers and limit the use of public places. It will also authorize the requisition of land and buildings to house field hospitals.