International Olympic Committee (IOC) Vice President John Coates said Friday that the postponed Tokyo Olympics would “absolutely” take place in two months, regardless of whether the Japanese capital is still in a state of emergency.
Tokyo, Osaka, and seven other prefectures have been under a state of emergency since April, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga added Okinawa to the list after the southern Japanese prefecture confirmed a daily record of 207 Covid-19 cases on Friday.
Public opposition to the Games in Japan has intensified in recent months as the country grapples with Covid-19. A recent poll published by Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun showed that over 80 per cent of respondents opposed Tokyo hosting the Olympics this year.
