Tokyo Olympics Chief Declines to Rule Out Cancellation of Games

The Tokyo Olympics is set to open in three days, but the chief of the organizing committee declined Tuesday to rule out a last-minute cancelation if the number of COVID-19 cases among athletes continue to spike.

Toshiro Muto said at a news conference he is watching the infection numbers, with 71 coronavirus cases already reported since July 1 of people accredited to participate in the Games or be there in some capacity. "We will continue discussions if there is a spike in cases," Muto said. “At this point, the coronavirus cases may rise or fall, so we will think about what we should do when the situation arises." But a spokesman for Tokyo 2020, so named for last year’s postponed Olympics, later said organizers were "concentrating 100% on delivering successful Games."