Comments by Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, that "different scenarios" were being considered as to whether to hold or postpone the Tokyo Games have caused a stir in Japan's sporting circles.
As the fate of the Games is being much discussed amid the coronavirus pandemic, Bach told The New York Times, "Of course we are considering different scenarios."
Some people related to the Tokyo Games have calmly accepted the situation, but doubt about holding the Games as scheduled has also been growing in the nation, observers said.
Some executive officials of overseas sport associations are speaking of postponement.
Sebastian Coe, president of the International Association of Athletics Federations, said Thursday during an interview with BBC that it was too early to make a decision. However, Coe also said the Games, currently slated for summer, could be postponed until September or October.
Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee Acting President Toshiaki Endo, 70, told reporters after the Olympic flame arrived in Japan on Friday: "It's our job to pave the way for holding the Games on July 24 whatever the circumstances. We will not postpone or cancel [the Games]."
Japanese Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita, 62, also thinks that the IOC will not make a major change in the planned schedule. "Every organization can hypothesize a variety of situations," Yamashita said.
In contrast, JOC board member Kaori Yamaguchi, 55, called for the Games to be postponed during an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun.
"There are no sufficient grounds at this point to hold the Games as scheduled," said Yamaguchi, a 1988 Olympic bronze medalist in judo. She pointed out that many countries and regions have restricted people's movements and many Olympic qualifying events have been postponed.
"We can't move forward with preparations. Selections won't be complete. The athletes are not in a normal situation," Yamaguchi said.
Yamashita openly showed his displeasure with her remarks, saying, "I understand there are different perspectives, but it's quite disappointing that a JOC member made such comments while the IOC, the government and the organizing committee are making their utmost efforts."
Sewon Okazawa, who is expected to represent Japan in the welterweight division of men's boxing, commented about the schedule of the World Olympic Qualification Tournament being undecided during a press conference in Tokyo on Friday.
"It's not fair if there isn't a certain length of time [before the Games] after all the qualifying events are completed," Okazawa said.
Ryomei Tanaka, 26, who will compete for Japan in the flyweight division in men's boxing, said: "There are two good boxers who have yet to qualify for the Games. I hope the qualification tournament will be held even if the Tokyo Games are postponed."
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