Tokyo 2020 may be postponed to 2024

Osaka Mayor Ichiro Matsui has claimed the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games should be postponed to 2024 because of the coronavirus crisis.

Matsui, who also leads the Japan Innovation Party, told The Mainichi newspaper that organizers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should aim for 2024, Report states.

He said the following two Olympics after Tokyo 2020 – Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 – should also be pushed back by four years in a coronavirus-enforced reshuffle.

“The whole world is facing unprecedented times,” Matsui said.

“Japan should assume the role of negotiating with the IOC while aiming for (the Games to be held in) 2024.

“The worst-case scenario is to cancel the Olympics.

“I think that Paris is also facing extreme difficulties for preparations as the host of 2024, so the Games should be pushed back by four years each,” Matsui noted.