Current polls in Japan show nearly 70% of the population do not want the Olympics to go ahead.
The Tokyo Olympics are now just over two months away and calls to ditch the Games in the face of the pandemic are getting louder by the day. So why isn't Japan talking about cancelling the Games? The answer as it turns out, is not that simple.A coronavirus state of emergency has been extended in the capital Tokyo and three other major prefectures as cases continue to rise.
Japan has long insisted there was no question the Olympics, which should have taken place last summer, would be held and will be safe. One reason given to justify a cancellation - aside from things like war or civil disorder - is that if "the IOC has reasonable grounds to believe, in its sole discretion, that the safety of participants in the Games would be seriously threatened or jeopardised for any reason whatsoever". Arguably, the pandemic could be seen as such a threat.
"Contracts can foresee certain contingencies, but the nature of the current situation is obviously unprecedented," he says. If that happens, that's where insurances would come in: The IOC has insurance, the local organising committee has insurance and the various broadcasters and sponsors will also have insurance.
Few athletes have spoken out about the issue and they are likely torn over the issue. For those who make it, the Olympics are among the highlights of their career and what they have trained for for years.
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