04 June 2020

Tokyo governor looking to ‘simplify’ Olympic Games next year

Tokyo’s governor Yuriko Koike has revealed the possibility of having a 'simplified' Olympic Games next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers have already discussed possible changes such as mandatory coronavirus testing and having fewer spectators, according to Yomiuri newspaper.

Koike said: "Holding the Olympic and Paralympic Games calls for sympathy and understanding of Tokyoites and the Japanese people.

“For that, we need to rationalise what needs to be rationalised and simplify what needs to be simplified.”

The head of the International Olympic Committee’s inspectorate for Tokyo John Coates has warned the Games could be 'very different' if there were no signs that the virus was under control.

The Yomiuri, citing government and organising committee sources said there were also discussions around limiting athletes and staff’s movements in and out of the Olympic village.

In March the International Olympic Committee announced the Tokyo 2020 Games were going to be pushed back a year due to the pandemic, and will now take place in the summer of 2021.

It is the last chance to hold the Games, anything beyond 2021 has been ruled out. 

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