Japan’s Olympic minister, Seiko Hashimoto has indicated that the Tokyo 2020 Games may be postponed from the summer until a later date as a result of the fears over the coronavirus outbreak.
In response to query in Japan’s parliament, Seiko Hashimoto said Tokyo’s contract with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) “calls for the Games to be held within 2020”. She added that “could be interpreted as allowing postponement”.
The games are due to take place from 24 July to 9 August.
“We are doing all we can to ensure that the games go ahead as planned” Hashimoto added.