This archive report was first published on 22 May 2020.
May 22, 2020 - The International Olympic Committee's pointman for Tokyo 2020, John Coates, has expressed concerns about the feasibility of holding the postponed Tokyo Games in 2021.
Coates indicated that officials would start deciding in October if and how the pandemic-hit Games could go ahead in July 2021.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reportedly made it clear that the Tokyo Olympics cannot be delayed a second time.
Coates emphasized that without a widely available vaccine, there could be enormous challenges in screening tens of thousands of people from all corners of the world.
He noted that the Olympics would involve 11,000 athletes, 5,000 technical officials and coaches, 20,000 media, and 60,000 volunteers, making it a logistical nightmare.
Coates said that if there are signs the pandemic is contained by October, officials will start preparing different scenarios for the Games, including quarantining the Olympic village, restricting spectators, and separating athletes from the media.
