WHILE most Japanese residents remain opposed to the Tokyo Games going ahead in 100 days’ time, the International Olympic Committee hopes the mood will shift when people realise how much emphasis has been placed on minimizing the risk of COVID-19 infections.
John Coates, the IOC’s chief coordinator for Tokyo, also said stories of Japan’s sporting success, such as Hideki Matsuyama’s Masters triumph on Sunday, would boost support for the Games, which were postponed by a year due to the pandemic.
With just over three months to go before the opening ceremony, organisers face a deluge of challenges with the pandemic affecting decisions on everything from athlete safety to spectator numbers to ticket sales as well as local public support for the Olympics.
A Kyodo News poll this week showed more than 70% of people in Japan want the Tokyo Olympics to be cancelled or delayed.
Tokyo on Monday began a
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