Tokyo Olympics chief 'cannot say if coronavirus will be under control' by 2021 Games

Muto admits he has doubts after Japan declared a state of emergency this week
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Tokyo Olympics chiefs have admitted they cannot be sure Japan will have the coronavirus outbreak under control by the time the rearranged Games take place next summer.

Organisers had been confident that the Games would go ahead as planned in July and August this year, but eventually conceded defeat as countries around the world went into lockdown, decimating the sporting calendar and confining athletes to their homes.

A twelve-month postponement was announced, with the general consensus that the worst of the pandemic should have passed well before then.

However, Japan, which initially looked to have contained its outbreak, declared a state of emergency this week as cases surged in urban areas, including the capital, and Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto suggested it would be foolish to think normality will definitely be restored in time.

"I don't think anybody would be able to say it is possible to get it [coronavirus] under control by next July or not," Muto said. "We certainly aren't in a position to give you a clear answer on that question.

"However, we have made the decision to postpone the Games by one year so all we can do is work hard to prepare for the Games in one year's time."

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