Japan's Olympic Minister says the Tokyo 2020 Games could be postponed until later in the year amid fears over the coronavirus outbreak.
In a response to a question in Japan's parliament, Seiko Hashimoto said Tokyo's contract with the International Olympic Committee "calls for the Games to be held within 2020".
She added that "could be interpreted as allowing a postponement".
The Olympic Games are due to be held from 24 July to 9 August.
According to BBC News, Hashimoto also said that they are doing all they can to ensure that the Olympic Games go ahead as planned.
Under the hosting agreement, the right to cancel the Olympic Games remains with the International Olympic Committee.
IOC president Thomas Bach says his organisation remains "very confident with regard the success" of the Games in Tokyo.
He also encouraged all athletes to continue their preparations with great confidence and full steam.
The last time the Olympics were cancelled altogether was during World War II. The IOC skipped the 1944 Games and allowed London to host four years later instead. The city that missed out in 1940 had to wait until 1964. It was Tokyo.
[Source: BBC]
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