AOC dismiss ‘unfounded rumours’ that Tokyo Games will be cancelled

The head of the Australian Olympic Committee, Matt Carroll, has said the Tokyo Games will take place as expected this year and dismissed “unfounded rumours” that they are to be cancelled.

“The Tokyo Games are on,” Carroll said.

“Tokyo 2020 will be a very different Games, simpler, but with a focus on the athletes and their competitions.

“It’s the world’s biggest sporting event. Yes, it’s challenging to plan for it, but that’s what the job is about.”

Carroll was responding to a media report that said the Japanese Government concluded the Games would have to be cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, citing one unidentified source from the ruling coalition.

However, that report was dismissed by Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who said on Friday in Parliament that Japan was determined to realise the Tokyo Olympics.

Suga said he would work closely with Tokyo and the International Olympic Committee in order to make sure the Games would take place.

That was echoed by Japan’s deputy chief cabinet secretary Manabu Sakai, who told reporters there was no truth to the rumours.

Carroll backed Japan to be able to handle the logistical challenge of hosting the Games despite the pandemic.

“If any country can handle a logistical challenge, it is Japan,” Carroll said.

More to come.