Despite these concerns, however, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced yesterday that the Olympics will go ahead as planned. Although Abe mentioned that the IOC would still have the final say on it, he is confident that the infection would be overcome and that the Olympics will push through as planned without problem.
Two days ago, Japan reported 63 new coronavirus cases, the highest daily increase in cases excluding the cases found on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. According to CNN, Japan has already experienced 22 deaths and 780 cases from the disease.
The torch-lighting ceremony recently held in ancient Olympia happened without any spectators and the rest of the torch relay in Greece was suspended in order to avoid attracting too many people. The Olympic torch relay in Japan is set to start on March 26 in Fukushima.
Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike shares that they have been taking thorough infection measures domestically when it comes to the torch relay.
In the USA, Olympic trials events have already been postponed, including rowing, diving, and wrestling. In London, however, the boxing events will push through this weekend as planned.