The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is confident it can swing public opinion in Japan once the Tokyo Games has started.
The latest polls show that some 60 per cent of Japanese believe the July 23 to Aug. 8 Games should be cancelled owing to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
A state of emergency in Tokyo has since been extended to May 31.
But IOC spokesman Mark Adams said after an executive board meeting Wednesday that the IOC and Japanese organisers are “moving full steam ahead.”
He said they are committed to a safe Games amid a strict hygiene protocol.
Adams added that recent test events have gone well, while a large majority of athletes would be vaccinated.
He also said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has also expressed confidence in the detailed Games plans.
“There is always a dip ahead of the Games. We take note of public opinion. We think (the) Games can go ahead and if there is an amazing moment it will be reflected.
“We are confident we can deliver (a) good Games,” Adams told reporters.
“When the Games happen and the Japanese can be proud hosts of an event which will be historic moment I am very confident of public opinion being hugely in favour of the event.”
“Everyone was telling us at the test events that the Games can and will go ahead … A huge majority of athletes say they are looking forward to the Games and we hope that also gives the Japanese people confidence.”
Adams said 12 test events have been carried out in Japan since April, including a diving World Cup which served as Olympic qualifiers and featured 225 athletes from 46 nations.
“We got a lot of positive feedback from athletes and international federations,” he said.
Adams said 7,800 athletes were now qualified and that by a June 29 deadline the remaining places would be filled via rankings and qualifiers.(dpa/NAN)
