Japanese survey shows 77 percent of people do not believe Tokyo Olympics can be held next year

Games were postponed from this summer to next due to the coronavirus pandemic

A wide-ranging survey conducted by the Japan News Network (JNN) found that 77 percent of those questioned said that the Tokyo Olympics “cannot be held” next year.

The Tokyo 2020 Games, originally due to start this month, have already been delayed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

As organisers plan the rearranged Games, questions remain over whether it is suitable, or possible, to host the Olympics in Japan next year.

Organisers previously said they would look to “simplify” the Games next year to lower costs and reduce risks related to Covid-19.

However, in the JNN poll, conducted over the weekend and mostly centring on Japanese politics, 77 percent of respondents said they thought the Olympics “cannot be held” in 2021. No reason was given for the answer.

Just 17 percent said they thought it “can be held” next year, according to results published on Monday.

The unprecedented decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics until 2021 was made by the Japanese government and the International Olympic Committee in March.

Since then, organisers have battled against an array of problems stemming from the postponement, including rising costs, athlete safety and securing venues.

Reuters