2020 Tokyo Olympics Looking At Possible Delay To Later This Year Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

As the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the nation, people are taking precautionary measures to ensure they aren’t exposed to the virus.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics currently scheduled for July 24 to August 9 are looking at a possible postponement, according to Japan’s Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto, Deadline reveals.

Speaking in Japan’s parliament, however, Hashimoto revealed that Tokyo’s contract with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) requires that games take place this year.

“[IOC contract] calls for the Games to be held within 2020,” he said. “[this] could be interpreted as allowing a postponement.”

In a BBC report, he stated that the plan is to do everything in their power to make sure the event takes place as it’s currently scheduled.

“We are doing all we can to ensure that the Games go ahead as planned,” he said.

IOC president Thomas Bach is on the same page as he stated last week that the organization is “fully committed” to hosting the event and making sure everything goes forth this summer as planned.

According to Deadline, canceling or postponing the Tokyo Olympics would have a huge effect on broadcasters.

This isn’t the first sporting event affected by the virus as it joins a growing list, including the 2020 World Indoor Athletics Championships as well as the Chinese Grand Prix. To date, over 85,000 people have been confirmed to carry the virus since the outbreak began in December. The virus continues to spread as it’s reached more than 50 countries, including the United States.⠀⠀⠀

Over 3,000 people have died from the virus, mainly in China’s Hubei region, which is where the outbreak initially started.