Tokyo Olympic Games will go ahead as planned in July, despite coronavirus concerns - Japan's PM

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the Tokyo Olympic Games will go ahead as planned in July, despite coronavirus concerns resulting in the postponement of sporting events. Abe added the International Olympic Committee would have the final decision whether Tokyo 2020 goes ahead.

Japan’s Prime Minister said they will overcome the spread of the infection and host the Olympics without a problem, as planned.

BBC News reports Japan has had more than 1,400 cases and 28 deaths resulting from coronavirus.

Television broadcasters and sponsors have billions invested in the Olympics, and the crowded international sports calendar has little space for pushing the games back a year.

A cancellation or postponement will ripple in thousands of directions, hitting sponsor, television, 11,000 Olympic and 4,400 Paralympic athletes, staff, airlines, hotels, and $1 billion lost in ticket sales.

It also hurts 80,000 unpaid volunteers who will miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

[Source:BBC]