Japanese Officials Haven’t Ruled Out Canceling the Olympics

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Source: Reuters
A Japanese official says canceling this year’s Olympics may still be a possibility as COVID cases continue to rise in the country.
According to the Associated Press, Liberal Democratic Party secretary Toshihiro Nikai told Japan’s TBS TV, “If there is a surge in infections because of the Olympics, there will be no meaning to having the Olympics.”
With the games just three months away, Japan is seeing a rise in COVID cases with the Associated Press reporting Osaka has recorded more than 1,000 new cases for three straight days. Meanwhile, Tokyo recorded the highest level the capital has seen in more than two months. “I think the question is how to do the Olympics in a way that is possible in this situation. That may mean there will probably be no spectators,” added Taro Kono, who is in charge of the country’s vaccine rollout, said in a statement reported by People.
“We do not speculate,” an International Olympic Committee spokesperson said on Thursday in a statement reported by Reuters. “We are fully concentrated and committed to the successful delivery of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 this year, and working at full speed towards the opening ceremony on July 23.”

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