Japanese&nbsp;swimmer&nbsp;Rikako&nbsp;Ikee, who qualified for the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;after overcoming leukemia last year, asked the public to show patience and support for&nbsp;athletes&nbsp;amid&nbsp;mounting&nbsp;calls&nbsp;for them to pull out of the Tokyo Games due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 20-year-old's story has become a bright spot in a tortured build-up to the&nbsp;Olympics, with&nbsp;Japan's government facing increasing criticism for forging ahead during an upsurge in infections.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reiterated that it is still possible to host the Games, due to run&nbsp;from&nbsp;July 23 to Aug. 8, even as a state of emergency in Tokyo and three other areas was extended on Friday until the end of May to stem a surge in infections.

Ikee&nbsp;said she and others will accept whatever the organizers decide.

"If there is one, we will of course do our best, and if not, we will just do our best for the next one,"&nbsp;Ikee&nbsp;said in a post on Twitter on Friday.

Foreign spectators have been barred&nbsp;from&nbsp;attending the Games, and organizers will decide next month whether&nbsp;Japanese fans will be allowed into the venues.

Ikee&nbsp;also sought sympathy for&nbsp;athletes, who are being urged by critics to take individual decisions to try to persuade the organizers to call off the Games.

"It is very painful to put it on the individual athlete," she said.

"Even if you ask me to speak out against the Games, I can't change anything," she said, asking her fans to "warmly watch over the&nbsp;athletes&nbsp;who are working hard, no matter what the situation is."

Ikee, who won six gold medals at the 2018 Asian Games, was expected to be one of&nbsp;Japan's top medal hopefuls at the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;before she was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019.

Last month,&nbsp;Ikee&nbsp;wrapped up the national championships with four titles, including the women's 100-meter butterfly and 100-meter freestyle events, less than eight months after she returned to competition following her recovery.

Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who qualified for the Olympics after overcoming leukemia last year, asked the public to show patience and support for athletes amid mounting calls for them to pull out of the Tokyo Games due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who qualified for the Olympics after overcoming leukemia last year, asked the public to show patience and support for athletes amid mounting calls for them to pull out of the Tokyo Games due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 20-year-old's story has become a bright spot in a tortured build-up to the Olympics, with Japan's government facing increasing criticism for forging ahead during an upsurge in infections. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reiterated that it is still possible to host the Games, due to run from July 23 to Aug. 8, even as a state of emergency in Tokyo and three other areas was extended on Friday until the end of May to stem a surge in infections. Ikee said she and others will accept whatever the organizers decide. "If there is one, we will of course do our best, and if not, we will just do our best for the next one," Ikee said in a post on Twitter on Friday. Foreign spectators have been barred from attending the Games, and organizers will decide next month whether Japanese fans will be allowed into the venues. Ikee also sought sympathy for athletes, who are being urged by critics to take individual decisions to try to persuade the organizers to call off the Games. "It is very painful to put it on the individual athlete," she said. "Even if you ask me to speak out against the Games, I can't change anything," she said, asking her fans to "warmly watch over the athletes who are working hard, no matter what the situation is." Ikee, who won six gold medals at the 2018 Asian Games, was expected to be one of Japan's top medal hopefuls at the Olympics before she was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019. Last month, Ikee wrapped up the national championships with four titles, including the women's 100-meter butterfly and 100-meter freestyle events, less than eight months after she returned to competition following her recovery.

Rikako Ikee pleads for understanding amid calls for athletes to withdraw from Olympics

Japanese swimming star Rikako Ikee defied the odds and secured an Olympics berth after the leukaemia survivor won the women's 100-metre butterfly at the national championships on Sunday (April 4), less than eight months after she returned to competition.

Leukaemia survivor Ikee defies odds by securing Olympics berth

Japan's gaffe-prone Olympics Minister was forced to apologise Wednesday after suggesting that the leukaemia diagnosis of 18-year-old star swimmer Rikako Ikee could dampen enthusiasm for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

The shock announcement of Ikee — widely considered the poster girl for next year's Olympics — that she was battling the disease touched the hearts of Japanese everywhere and sparked an outpouring of well-wishes.

However, the minister, Yoshitaka Sakurada, appeared to voice sadness that Japan's medal tally might be affected as a result.

"She is a potential gold medallist, an athlete in whom we have great expectations. I'm really disappointed," said the 69-year-old, according to local media.

"When one person leads, she can boost the whole team. I am slightly worried that this type of excitement could wane."

Following a backlash from the public and opposition politicians, Sakurada sought to clarify his stance and admitted his comments "lacked consideration."

This is not the first time Sakurada has made unwanted headlines.

He attracted widespread ridicule when he admitted that he "does not use computers" in his professional life. He doubles as deputy chief of Japan's cybersecurity strategy.

Sakurada also sparked anger for ill-advised comments in 2016 when he described the "comfort women" forced to work in military brothels servicing Japanese wartime troops as "professional prostitutes."

Ikee shot to fame at last year's Asian Games, where she captured a record six gold medals to fire a warning for the 2020 Olympics in her home city.

The teenage superstar, who holds a string of national records, has been tipped to push for gold on several fronts, in particular in the women's 100 metres butterfly.

Ikee told fans she was determined to beat her illness after being forced to abandon her training camp on Australia's Gold Coast.

"If treated properly it's a disease that can be beaten," said Ikee, who confirmed she will withdraw from the Japanese championships in April.&nbsp;

"I will devote myself to my treatment and strive to be able to show an even stronger Rikako Ikee."

Japan's gaffe-prone Olympics Minister was forced to apologise Wednesday after suggesting that the leukaemia diagnosis of 18-year-old star swimmer Rikako Ikee could dampen enthusiasm for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Japan's gaffe-prone Olympics Minister was forced to apologise Wednesday after suggesting that the leukaemia diagnosis of 18-year-old star swimmer Rikako Ikee could dampen enthusiasm for the Tokyo 2020 Games. The shock announcement of Ikee — widely considered the poster girl for next year's Olympics — that she was battling the disease touched the hearts of Japanese everywhere and sparked an outpouring of well-wishes. However, the minister, Yoshitaka Sakurada, appeared to voice sadness that Japan's medal tally might be affected as a result. "She is a potential gold medallist, an athlete in whom we have great expectations. I'm really disappointed," said the 69-year-old, according to local media. "When one person leads, she can boost the whole team. I am slightly worried that this type of excitement could wane." Following a backlash from the public and opposition politicians, Sakurada sought to clarify his stance and admitted his comments "lacked consideration." This is not the first time Sakurada has made unwanted headlines. He attracted widespread ridicule when he admitted that he "does not use computers" in his professional life. He doubles as deputy chief of Japan's cybersecurity strategy. Sakurada also sparked anger for ill-advised comments in 2016 when he described the "comfort women" forced to work in military brothels servicing Japanese wartime troops as "professional prostitutes." Ikee shot to fame at last year's Asian Games, where she captured a record six gold medals to fire a warning for the 2020 Olympics in her home city. The teenage superstar, who holds a string of national records, has been tipped to push for gold on several fronts, in particular in the women's 100 metres butterfly. Ikee told fans she was determined to beat her illness after being forced to abandon her training camp on Australia's Gold Coast. "If treated properly it's a disease that can be beaten," said Ikee, who confirmed she will withdraw from the Japanese championships in April. "I will devote myself to my treatment and strive to be able to show an even stronger Rikako Ikee."

Japan minister sorry for ill Olympic swimmer gaffe

Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who won six titles at last year's Asian Games and was considered a strong medal contender for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said on Tuesday she had been diagnosed with leukaemia.

The 18-year-old was named Japanese Swimmer of the Year last month after her record-breaking exploits in the Jakarta pool.

"I was feeling ill and urgently came home from Australia, underwent testing and the diagnosis was leukaemia," Ikee wrote on Twitter.

"I can't believe it, it's a confusing situation. But with treatment this is a disease that can be cured."

The diagnosis will deprive the world junior 50 metres freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly champion of the chance to race at the senior world championships in Gwangju, South Korea later this year.

Ikee, who swam the fastest time in the world in the 100m butterfly and second fastest in the 50m butterfly last year, said she would miss Japan's swimming trials to focus on treatment.

"I am going to take some time off and focus on treatment and as soon as possible I want to show an even stronger Rikako Ikee," she added.

Ikee's coach Jiro Miki held out hope she could compete in Tokyo, saying the "possibility was not zero", Kyodo News Agency reported.

"I'm told we wouldn't have been able to discover the disease in ordinary circumstances," Kyodo quoted Japan Swimming Federation Vice Chairman Koji Ueno as saying at a news conference.

"We were able to find her irregularities because she was swimming. In that sense, we were able to find the disease early."

Only North Korean shooter So Gin Man, who won seven golds and a silver at New Delhi in 1982, has won more titles at one Asian Games than Ikee.

Ikee, whose gold medal haul was the most for a female athlete at a single Asian Games, also picked up two relay silvers to match So's record tally of eight medals.

Winning all six of her gold medals in record times in Jakarta propelled her onto the world stage and made her a major name in Japan.

Coming home sixth in the 100m butterfly at the Rio Games as a 16-year-old, Ikee had been expected to compete for medals at Tokyo 2020 but must now focus on getting healthy before thoughts turn to the summer showpiece in 528 days' time.

After news of Ikee's illness broke, Japanese rugby player Ayumu Goromaru offered words of support on Twitter, telling her to "Strive on," while former Olympic swimmer Hanae Ito said: "Everyone is praying".

Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who won six titles at last year's Asian Games and was considered a strong medal contender for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said on Tuesday she had been diagnosed with leukaemia.

Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who won six titles at last year's Asian Games and was considered a strong medal contender for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, said on Tuesday she had been diagnosed with leukaemia. The 18-year-old was named Japanese Swimmer of the Year last month after her record-breaking exploits in the Jakarta pool. "I was feeling ill and urgently came home from Australia, underwent testing and the diagnosis was leukaemia," Ikee wrote on Twitter. "I can't believe it, it's a confusing situation. But with treatment this is a disease that can be cured." The diagnosis will deprive the world junior 50 metres freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly champion of the chance to race at the senior world championships in Gwangju, South Korea later this year. Ikee, who swam the fastest time in the world in the 100m butterfly and second fastest in the 50m butterfly last year, said she would miss Japan's swimming trials to focus on treatment. "I am going to take some time off and focus on treatment and as soon as possible I want to show an even stronger Rikako Ikee," she added. Ikee's coach Jiro Miki held out hope she could compete in Tokyo, saying the "possibility was not zero", Kyodo News Agency reported. "I'm told we wouldn't have been able to discover the disease in ordinary circumstances," Kyodo quoted Japan Swimming Federation Vice Chairman Koji Ueno as saying at a news conference. "We were able to find her irregularities because she was swimming. In that sense, we were able to find the disease early." Only North Korean shooter So Gin Man, who won seven golds and a silver at New Delhi in 1982, has won more titles at one Asian Games than Ikee. Ikee, whose gold medal haul was the most for a female athlete at a single Asian Games, also picked up two relay silvers to match So's record tally of eight medals. Winning all six of her gold medals in record times in Jakarta propelled her onto the world stage and made her a major name in Japan. Coming home sixth in the 100m butterfly at the Rio Games as a 16-year-old, Ikee had been expected to compete for medals at Tokyo 2020 but must now focus on getting healthy before thoughts turn to the summer showpiece in 528 days' time. After news of Ikee's illness broke, Japanese rugby player Ayumu Goromaru offered words of support on Twitter, telling her to "Strive on," while former Olympic swimmer Hanae Ito said: "Everyone is praying".

Tokyo Olympics medal hopeful Rikako Ikee diagnosed with leukaemia

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Rikako Ikee pleads for understanding amid calls for athletes to withdraw from Olympics

Leukaemia survivor Ikee defies odds by securing Olympics berth

Japan minister sorry for ill Olympic swimmer gaffe

Tokyo Olympics medal hopeful Rikako Ikee diagnosed with leukaemia