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‘Absolutely Yes’: Games Will Go On Even in State of Emergency, I.O.C. Says

Related Topics: Tokyo, John Coates, Japan, COVID-19

TOKYO — The rescheduled 2020 Olympics will go on even if a state of emergency is declared in the city this summer, a top Olympics official said Friday, dismissing once again the suggestion that the coronavirus pandemic might force a postponement or cancellation of a global sports showcase that has already been delayed a year.

“We have successfully seen five sports hold test events during a state of emergency,” said John Coates, a vice president of the International Olympic Committee, during a news conference at the end of a three-day virtual meeting to address preparations. “All of the plans to protect safety and security of athletes are based around worst possible circumstances.