Tokyo: A COVID-19 vaccine is not required to proceed with Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics next year, said CEO Toshiro Muto on Friday. “It’s not a prerequisite,” Muto said on the vaccine.
“The International Olympic Committee and the WHO already discussed this matter. It’s not a condition for the delivery of the Tokyo 2020 Games. A vaccine is not a requirement. Of course, if vaccines are developed we’ll really appreciate it. And for Tokyo 2020 this will be great. But if you ask me if that’s a condition — it’s not a condition.”
Muto was speaking to government officials, disease experts and Japanese Olympic officials after a task force meeting. The task force meetings over the next months will deal with issues like getting athletes into Japan, COVID-19 testing, measures to keep venues safe, anti-virus measures at the Athletes’ Village, immigration issues and the status of fans.
A statement outlining the schedule of five meetings said an ‘interim summary is planned by approximately the end of 2020’. Japan has been dealing with major challenges, and they have already invested billions. Thorugh a poll conducted last month of almost 13000 Japanese, 53.6% wanted the game to be cancelled or postponed again.
The International Olympic Committee said if the game cannot happen in 2021, it will be cancelled. “While living with the coronavirus, we need to make sure that athletes can perform at their best and audiences enjoy the games safely,” deputy chief cabinet secretary Kasuhiro Sugita said at the meeting. “To achieve that, we will adjust border controls, testing and medical systems and the operations of the venues.”
