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.

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.

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.

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