Tokyo 2020 will go ahead, says Japan Prime Minister as he insists Olympics will help the world ‘overcome coronavirus’
JAPAN Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has insisted this summer's Olympic games will go ahead "as planned".
The 65-year-old squashed rumours that the event would be axed due to the global outbreak of coronavirus.
⚠️ Read our Coronavirus in Sport live blog for the latest news, updates and cancellations
The 2020 Olympics are set to take place in Tokyo from from Friday, 24 July until Sunday, 9 August.
Japan have had more than 1,400 reported cases of coronavirus - which has led to 28 deaths in the country.
Several Olympic trial events in the US have been postponed due to the global outbreak of the virus.
Haruyuki Takahashi, who is part of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Comittee, claimed this summer's event could be postponed for two years.
But Japan's PM has confirmed that this will not be the case.
He said: "We will overcome the spread of the infection and host the Olympics without problem, as planned."
The 65-year-old said he will be working alongside the International Olympic Committee to ensure the right decision is made.
LATEST SPORT NEWS
Abe added: "We will respond by closely coordinating with officials concerned, including the IOC.
"There is no change in this."
Coronavirus - which has led to 35 deaths in the UK alone - has caused the sporting world to come to a standstill.
