Olympics CEO: We need vaccine, no guarantees Olympics will be staged in 2021

Tokyo organizing committee CEO Toshiro Muto has admitted that there is a serious possibility that the Olympics will not be staged next year as well. 

Last month, the IOC announced the Tokyo Olympics were rescheduled for 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

The Tokyo Olympics are now scheduled to take place from July 23 - August 8, 2021. 

"I don't think anyone would be able to say if it is going to be possible to get it under control by next July or not," Muto said, per TMZ. ''We're certainly are not in a position to give you a clear answer.

"We have made the decision to postpone the games by one year. So this means that all we can do is work hard to prepare for the games.

"We sincerely hope that come next year mankind will manage to overcome the coronavirus crisis.''

Muto noted that having a vaccine available could be the key in proceeding with the Olympics.

"Rather than think about alternatives plan mankind should bring together all of its technology and wisdom to work hard so they can development treatments, medicines and vaccines," Muto said, when asked if they had a Plan B if the Tokyo Olympics can't proceed with the new date. 

Wimbledon has been paying pandemic insurance for years and now they are set to net a £114 million insurance payout. 

"Tokyo 2020 has taken out several insurance policies but whether the postponement of the games qualifies as an event that is covered is not clear yet," Muto revealed.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3a83sRk