TOKYO (July 20): The chief of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee on Tuesday did not rule out a last-minute cancellation of the Olympics, as more athletes tested positive for Covid-19 and major sponsors ditched plans to attend Friday's opening ceremony. "We can't predict what will happen with the number of coronavirus cases. At this point, the coronavirus cases may rise or fall, so we will think about what we should do when the situation arises." Covid-19 cases are rising in Tokyo and the Games, postponed last year because of the pandemic, will be held without spectators. Organisers, for whom International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said cancelling the event had never been an option, have promised to keep the Games "safe and secure".

Source: The Edge Markets July 20, 2021 12:22 UTC