IOC VP faces backlash for saying Tokyo Olympics are on despite pandemic
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Here are the times in history when the Olympics have been canceled or postponed.
TOKYO (AP) - If John Coates was trying to stir controversy, he succeeded.
An International Olympic Committee vice president, Coates was asked a few days ago by a Japanese reporter at an online news conference if the Tokyo Olympics would go ahead, even if a state of emergency were in force in Japan.
Coates replied: Absolutely, yes.
Coates said what the IOC and local organizers have been trying to persuade the Japanese public about for months: The postponed Olympics with 11,000 athletes from 200 nations and territories will open on July 23 and will be safe and secure.
IOC VP gets backlash saying Olympics are on, no matter virus - Medicine Hat NewsMedicine Hat News medicinehatnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from medicinehatnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Coates replied: Absolutely, yes.
Coates said what the IOC and local organizers have been trying to persuade the Japanese public about for months: The postponed Olympics with 11,000 athletes from 200 nations and territories will open on July 23 and will be safe and secure.
But his defiant tone has stirred a backlash in Japan where 60-80% in polls say they do not want the Olympics to open in two months in the midst of a pandemic.
Just over 12,000 deaths in Japan good by global standards, but poor in Asia have been attributed to COVID-19. But Tokyo and Osaka and several other areas are under a state of emergency until May 31. And it s likely to be extended.
Coates said what the IOC and local organizers have been trying to persuade the Japanese public about for months: The postponed Olympics with 11,000 athletes from 200 nations and territories will open on July 23 and will be “safe and secure.”
But his defiant tone has stirred a backlash in Japan where 60-80% in polls say they do not want the Olympics to open in two months in the midst of a pandemic.
Just over 12,000 deaths in Japan good by global standards, but poor in Asia have been attributed to COVID-19. But Tokyo and Osaka and several other areas are under a state of emergency until May 31. And it’s likely to be extended.
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