Officials stress Tokyo Olympics will happen, despite coronavirus outbreak in China

The organizers of the Tokyo Olympics reportedly said Thursday that they are not considering canceling the games based on the coronavirus outbreak. 

“I would like to make it clear again that we are not considering a cancellation or postponement of the games. Let me make that clear,” Yoshiro Mori, the president of the organizing committee, said through an interpreter to dozens of top International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials gathered in Tokyo, according to The Associated Press. 

Dr. Richard Budgett, IOC’s medical and scientific director, was among the officials at the gathering, according to the AP, which noted that he does not always travel for these inspection visits. 

The reassurance followed Japan’s first reported death from the virus on Thursday, according to AP. The country has reportedly confirmed almost 250 cases, including 218 on a cruise ship that is quarantined at the port of Yokohama near Tokyo. 

Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the Tokyo organizing committee, last week said he was “seriously worried” the spread of coronavirus “could throw cold water on the momentum toward the games,” according to the AP. He later backed down and said he was confident the games would go forward, the newswire reported.

The Olympic Games are set to begin in June. 

The Formula One race that was set to take place in Shanghai in April was postponed due to the outbreak of coronavirus.