Tokyo firm coronavirus wont stop Olympics

Tokyo Olympic organisers have maintained they are not considering scrapping the Games due to the coronavirus, and dismissed “irresponsible rumours” to the contrary.

With only 162 days to go until the opening ceremony, concerns have been raised about Japan’s hosting of the Games with the virus spreading throughout Asia.

But Tokyo 2020 CEO Yoshiro Mori slapped down such concerns at a meeting with top International Olympic Committee officials, saying they are calm despite the escalating menace paused by the deadly virus.

“With regard to the coronavirus … there are many irresponsible rumours but I would like to make it clear again that we are not considering postponing or cancelling the Games,” he said.

“We would like to coordinate with the national government and act in a calm manner,” he stressed.

This comes even as World Rugby, the Hong Kong Rugby Union and Sport Singapore announced decision to reschedule the Hong Kong and Singapore rounds of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2020 in response to the virus outbreak.