Olympics will go ahead even under a state of emergency- IOC

The International Olympic Committee has made it clear that the Olympics will go ahead even if Tokyo remains under a state of emergency.

Tokyo is one of nine prefectures under a state of emergency until 31st May at the earliest because of a rise in COVID-19 cases.

IOC Vice President John Coates says they have successfully seen five sports hold their test events during the state of emergency.

Coates says all of the plans they have in place to protect the safety and security of athletes and the people of Japan are based around the worst possible circumstances so the answer to whether the Games could take place during a state of emergency is an absolute yes.

He says the advice they have got from the World Health Organisation is that all the measures the IOC have outlined in the playbook are satisfactory to ensure safe and secure Games in terms of health.

Recent polls in Japan have shown nearly 70% of the population do not want the Olympics.

The Olympics is scheduled to start on 23rd July.

[Source: BBC]