Sticking to the original plan before the Tokyo Olympics was postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisers on Tuesday said that the Olympic flame will still visit Japan’s 47 prefectures during the traditional torch relay starting on March 25.

The torch relay was scheduled to commence in March 2020 but the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government took the unprecedented decision to postpone the Games.

With concerns surrounding the rising cases in Japan and COVID-19 restrictions in the country, organisers on Tuesday announced that the 121-day tour, which starts in Fukushima and ends in Tokyo’s National Stadium during the Games opening ceremony on July 23, will go ahead as scheduled.

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The announcement by the organisers came after a poll by NHK broadcaster showed a third of Japanese locals wanting the Tokyo Games to be scrapped amid fears that foreign visitors may cause a further spike in coronavirus cases.

"We want to make sure that everyone's health is secure -- the spectators, the torchbearers, the officials and the citizens in the local areas," said Tokyo Games Vice-Director General Yukihiko Nunomura.

"We want the runners to smile and we want the spectators to smile as they welcome the torch. We want to generate excitement so that people really feel that the Tokyo Olympics are coming."

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With Japan battling the third wave of infections, the NHK poll, conducted from December 11-13, showed 32 per cent of respondents wanting the Tokyo Olympics to be cancelled entirely.&nbsp;

Only 27% said they should go ahead as scheduled and 31% favoured another delay.

To mark 100 days until the start of the tour, Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in the world was illuminated on Tuesday.

Organisers said the full relay route would be announced in February.

Sticking to the original plan before the Tokyo Olympics was postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisers on Tuesday said that the Olympic flame will still visit Japan’s 47 prefectures during the traditional torch relay starting on March 25.

Sticking to the original plan before the Tokyo Olympics was postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisers on Tuesday said that the Olympic flame will still visit Japan’s 47 prefectures during the traditional torch relay starting on March 25. The torch relay was scheduled to commence in March 2020 but the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government took the unprecedented decision to postpone the Games. With concerns surrounding the rising cases in Japan and COVID-19 restrictions in the country, organisers on Tuesday announced that the 121-day tour, which starts in Fukushima and ends in Tokyo’s National Stadium during the Games opening ceremony on July 23, will go ahead as scheduled. ALSO READ: Messi, Ronaldo, Maradona, Pele all feature in Ballon d'Or Dream Team - Check full XI The announcement by the organisers came after a poll by NHK broadcaster showed a third of Japanese locals wanting the Tokyo Games to be scrapped amid fears that foreign visitors may cause a further spike in coronavirus cases. "We want to make sure that everyone's health is secure -- the spectators, the torchbearers, the officials and the citizens in the local areas," said Tokyo Games Vice-Director General Yukihiko Nunomura. "We want the runners to smile and we want the spectators to smile as they welcome the torch. We want to generate excitement so that people really feel that the Tokyo Olympics are coming." ALSO READ: #ThisHappened2020: Kohli, Dhoni most mentioned athletes on Twitter, IPL 2020 most tweeted sports hashtags With Japan battling the third wave of infections, the NHK poll, conducted from December 11-13, showed 32 per cent of respondents wanting the Tokyo Olympics to be cancelled entirely. Only 27% said they should go ahead as scheduled and 31% favoured another delay. To mark 100 days until the start of the tour, Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in the world was illuminated on Tuesday. Organisers said the full relay route would be announced in February.

'Want to generate excitement': Organisers say Olympic flame will still visit every corner of Japan

Tokyo's governor said she can see "no circumstances" under which the virus-postponed 2020 Olympics will be cancelled

Tokyo: City governor sees no circumstances for cancelling Olympic games

The Tokyo Olympics 2020 was the biggest sporting event to have gotten hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time since World War II that the Games were postponed. The preparations and build-up to the Olympics 2020 were second to none but the monumental event couldn’t go ahead due to the coronavirus. Now, Tokyo 2020 organisers have said that the 2020 Games will cost at least an extra $2.4 billion over postponement cost and pandemic health measures.&nbsp;

Tokyo 2020 said that an additional $1.5 billion would be required for operations costs related to the deferment of the event whereas another $900 million would be needed on coronavirus countermeasures for the Olympic Games in 2021.

The dollar figure is calculated at an exchange rate of 107 yen, and is closer to $2.56 billion when calculated at today's rate.

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The financial numbers could even spike further with Tokyo 2020 saying it will release another $250 million in ‘contingency’ funds to help cover the expenses.

The extra costs will help the Olympics officials and organisers in a bid to build some enthusiasm and momentum for the Tokyo Games as the organisers insisted that the mega event can go ahead in 2021 even if the pandemic is not under control.

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However, such spending could further intensify public opinion in Japan where polls, earlier in 2020, showed that the majority of people think that the Olympics should be postponed again or cancelled altogether.

A part of additional costs to conduct the Tokyo Olympics will come from the Japanese taxpayers with the total portion of it to be divided by the national government, city of Tokyo and organisers.

The Tokyo Olympics 2020 was the biggest sporting event to have gotten hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time since World War II that the Games were postponed.

The Tokyo Olympics 2020 was the biggest sporting event to have gotten hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time since World War II that the Games were postponed. The preparations and build-up to the Olympics 2020 were second to none but the monumental event couldn’t go ahead due to the coronavirus. Now, Tokyo 2020 organisers have said that the 2020 Games will cost at least an extra $2.4 billion over postponement cost and pandemic health measures. Tokyo 2020 said that an additional $1.5 billion would be required for operations costs related to the deferment of the event whereas another $900 million would be needed on coronavirus countermeasures for the Olympic Games in 2021. The dollar figure is calculated at an exchange rate of 107 yen, and is closer to $2.56 billion when calculated at today's rate. ALSO READ: Arsenal win on fans' return to top level football in England The financial numbers could even spike further with Tokyo 2020 saying it will release another $250 million in ‘contingency’ funds to help cover the expenses. The extra costs will help the Olympics officials and organisers in a bid to build some enthusiasm and momentum for the Tokyo Games as the organisers insisted that the mega event can go ahead in 2021 even if the pandemic is not under control. IN PICS | Postponements and resumption: A turbulent year of 2020 for sports world However, such spending could further intensify public opinion in Japan where polls, earlier in 2020, showed that the majority of people think that the Olympics should be postponed again or cancelled altogether. A part of additional costs to conduct the Tokyo Olympics will come from the Japanese taxpayers with the total portion of it to be divided by the national government, city of Tokyo and organisers.

$2.4 billion! Tokyo Olympics to cost whopping sum over postponed Games

The Olympic rings monument was reinstalled in Tokyo Bay on Tuesday, after being removed in August for maintenance, as organisers ramp up preparations for next year’s postponed Summer Games.

The return of the monument, which stands 15.3m tall and 32.6m wide and was originally installed in January, should send a signal that the Games are getting closer, Tokyo metropolitan government planning director Atsushi Yanashimizu told Reuters.

“Since the symbol is here, we want Tokyo residents and also internationally to feel that the Games are coming very soon,” Yanashimizu said.

“Also, we want everyone to feel we will have the Tokyo 2020 Games definitely next year.”

The monument, which will be lit up later on Tuesday, will remain in place next to Rainbow Bridge until the Olympics finish in August before being replaced with the Paralympics logo.

The Olympics were pushed back by a year in March because of the novel coronavirus pandemic and organisers have yet to provide a figure for how much the postponement will cost.

On Monday, Kyodo News reported that organisers estimated the cost of COVID-19 countermeasures for the Games would run to around 100 billion yen ($960 million)

The Olympic rings monument was reinstalled in Tokyo Bay on Tuesday, after being removed in August for maintenance, as organisers ramp up preparations for next year’s postponed Summer Games.

The Olympic rings monument was reinstalled in Tokyo Bay on Tuesday, after being removed in August for maintenance, as organisers ramp up preparations for next year’s postponed Summer Games. The return of the monument, which stands 15.3m tall and 32.6m wide and was originally installed in January, should send a signal that the Games are getting closer, Tokyo metropolitan government planning director Atsushi Yanashimizu told Reuters. “Since the symbol is here, we want Tokyo residents and also internationally to feel that the Games are coming very soon,” Yanashimizu said. “Also, we want everyone to feel we will have the Tokyo 2020 Games definitely next year.” The monument, which will be lit up later on Tuesday, will remain in place next to Rainbow Bridge until the Olympics finish in August before being replaced with the Paralympics logo. The Olympics were pushed back by a year in March because of the novel coronavirus pandemic and organisers have yet to provide a figure for how much the postponement will cost. On Monday, Kyodo News reported that organisers estimated the cost of COVID-19 countermeasures for the Games would run to around 100 billion yen ($960 million)

Olympic rings return to Tokyo Bay

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach on Tuesday said that athletes won’t be forced to get COVID-19 vaccinations ahead of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics but added that they should have it as a “demonstration of solidarity” with the Japanese.&nbsp;

Bach visited the Athletes’ Village on Tuesday before concluding his two-day Tokyo visit to the National Stadium.&nbsp;

“We will encourage athletes that whenever possible they have the vaccination because it is better for their health, and it is also a demonstration of solidarity with their fellow athletes and also the Japanese people,” said the German.

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Bach, who was in his first trip to Japan since the decision to postpone the Tokyo Games in March, has spoken about the major impact a vaccine could have on the prospects of Tokyo hosting the Olympics in 2021.

More than 11,000 athletes are expected to land in Tokyo for the Games, which are scheduled to commence from July 23 with around thousands expected for the subsequent Paralympics.

However, when asked whether athletes would queue up to get the potential vaccine before the Tokyo Olympics, Bach sounded confident that this wouldn’t be the case.&nbsp;

“We made it clear from the very beginning that the first priorities are for the nurses, medical doctors and everybody who keeps our society alive, despite the coronavirus crisis,” Bach told reporters at the National Stadium.

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“These are the people who deserve to be the first ones to be vaccinated.”

Tokyo 2020 organisers are conducting a project review meeting this week while hoping on deciding on a range of COVID-19 measures, including whether the mega event will allow fans in venues in 2021.

A small group of anti-Olympics protesters gathered outside the stadium during Bach’s visit while chanting slogans as he walked alone down the track and looked up at the glaring empty seats around him.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach on Tuesday said that athletes won’t be forced to get COVID-19 vaccinations ahead of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics but added that they should have it as a “demonstration of solidarity” with the Japanese.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach on Tuesday said that athletes won’t be forced to get COVID-19 vaccinations ahead of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics but added that they should have it as a “demonstration of solidarity” with the Japanese. Bach visited the Athletes’ Village on Tuesday before concluding his two-day Tokyo visit to the National Stadium. “We will encourage athletes that whenever possible they have the vaccination because it is better for their health, and it is also a demonstration of solidarity with their fellow athletes and also the Japanese people,” said the German. ALSO READ: Honour to have Cristiano Ronaldo break my record in international football: Ali Daei Bach, who was in his first trip to Japan since the decision to postpone the Tokyo Games in March, has spoken about the major impact a vaccine could have on the prospects of Tokyo hosting the Olympics in 2021. More than 11,000 athletes are expected to land in Tokyo for the Games, which are scheduled to commence from July 23 with around thousands expected for the subsequent Paralympics. However, when asked whether athletes would queue up to get the potential vaccine before the Tokyo Olympics, Bach sounded confident that this wouldn’t be the case. “We made it clear from the very beginning that the first priorities are for the nurses, medical doctors and everybody who keeps our society alive, despite the coronavirus crisis,” Bach told reporters at the National Stadium. ALSO READ: IOC's Bach 'very confident' Tokyo Olympics will have fans “These are the people who deserve to be the first ones to be vaccinated.” Tokyo 2020 organisers are conducting a project review meeting this week while hoping on deciding on a range of COVID-19 measures, including whether the mega event will allow fans in venues in 2021. A small group of anti-Olympics protesters gathered outside the stadium during Bach’s visit while chanting slogans as he walked alone down the track and looked up at the glaring empty seats around him.

Athletes won't be forced to get COVID-19 vaccine ahead of Tokyo Olympics: Thomas Bach

Olympic chief Thomas Bach said Monday he is "very, very confident" that spectators will attend next year's Tokyo Olympics, as he kicked off a Japan trip to boost momentum for the pandemic-postponed Games.

Spiralling infections and new lockdowns around the world have renewed scepticism that the massive international event will be possible if the pandemic is not under control by opening day, now scheduled for July 23, 2021.

But organisers and Japanese officials have insisted that they can hold the event, and are drawing up a raft of coronavirus countermeasures intended to make the Games safe even if the pandemic is not over.

"We are putting really a huge tool box together in which we will put all the different measures we can imagine," Bach said, after meeting Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga for talks that began with the two masked men fist-bumping for the cameras.

"This makes us all very, very confident that we can have spectators in the Olympic stadia next year," added Bach, who heads the International Olympic Committee.

The Olympic chief also pledged that the IOC would "undertake great efforts" to make sure as many participants and spectators as possible are vaccinated before arriving in Japan, if a vaccine is available by next summer.

Bach, on his first trip to Tokyo since the Games were postponed in March, is hoping to convince athletes, Japanese citizens and Olympics sponsors that the Games can be held safely next year.

Polls show a majority of Japan's public believe the Games should be postponed further, or cancelled altogether.

And more than 60 percent of domestic sponsors have yet to commit to extending their contracts for another year, domestic media reported this weekend.

He told Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike the IOC was committed to ensuring "a safe environment for the participants of the Games, but also the Japanese people".

Koike said Bach's visit would "be an encouragement for the Japanese people, Tokyo residents, volunteers, children and above all athletes".

<h2>- 'Light at end of tunnel' -</h2>

There are glimmers of hope for organisers and Japanese officials, who have insisted a further delay is not on the table, and that cancellation is not being discussed.

News last week of positive results in a late-stage vaccine trial were welcomed by Tokyo 2020 officials as a "relief", though organisers cautioned that they will continue to prepare measures to hold the Games even without a vaccine.

And Tokyo this month successfully staged a four-nation gymnastics competition, its first international sporting event during the pandemic, hailed as proof the Games are possible.

In a possible preview of the restrictions Olympic athletes may face, gymnasts from the United States, China and Russia travelled on charter planes and were restricted to designated hotel floors, assigned buses and competition venues.

Athletes had to isolate themselves before coming to Japan, and test negative 72 hours before arrival. They were also tested every day after their arrival.

Spectators at the event had to wear face masks, sanitise their hands and undergo temperature checks, and were told not to shout or cheer.

A coronavirus taskforce of Japanese government officials and Olympic organisers has proposed measures including limiting athlete movement and banning cheering in venues. Final decisions on rules are not expected before next spring.

Bach said during a ceremony Monday he remained convinced Tokyo "continues to be the best prepared Olympic city".

Japan's government has maintained a steadfastly upbeat position on the prospects for the Games, with Suga reiterating Monday that they would go ahead and serve "as proof that mankind overcame the virus".

"Together we can make this Olympic Games and the Olympic flame the light at the end of the tunnel that we are all in during this coronavirus crisis," added Bach.

Olympic chief Thomas Bach said Monday he is "very, very confident" that spectators will attend next year's Tokyo Olympics, as he kicked off a Japan trip to boost momentum for the pandemic-postponed Games.

Olympic chief Thomas Bach said Monday he is "very, very confident" that spectators will attend next year's Tokyo Olympics, as he kicked off a Japan trip to boost momentum for the pandemic-postponed Games. Spiralling infections and new lockdowns around the world have renewed scepticism that the massive international event will be possible if the pandemic is not under control by opening day, now scheduled for July 23, 2021. But organisers and Japanese officials have insisted that they can hold the event, and are drawing up a raft of coronavirus countermeasures intended to make the Games safe even if the pandemic is not over. "We are putting really a huge tool box together in which we will put all the different measures we can imagine," Bach said, after meeting Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga for talks that began with the two masked men fist-bumping for the cameras. "This makes us all very, very confident that we can have spectators in the Olympic stadia next year," added Bach, who heads the International Olympic Committee. The Olympic chief also pledged that the IOC would "undertake great efforts" to make sure as many participants and spectators as possible are vaccinated before arriving in Japan, if a vaccine is available by next summer. Bach, on his first trip to Tokyo since the Games were postponed in March, is hoping to convince athletes, Japanese citizens and Olympics sponsors that the Games can be held safely next year. Polls show a majority of Japan's public believe the Games should be postponed further, or cancelled altogether. And more than 60 percent of domestic sponsors have yet to commit to extending their contracts for another year, domestic media reported this weekend. He told Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike the IOC was committed to ensuring "a safe environment for the participants of the Games, but also the Japanese people". Koike said Bach's visit would "be an encouragement for the Japanese people, Tokyo residents, volunteers, children and above all athletes". - 'Light at end of tunnel' - There are glimmers of hope for organisers and Japanese officials, who have insisted a further delay is not on the table, and that cancellation is not being discussed. News last week of positive results in a late-stage vaccine trial were welcomed by Tokyo 2020 officials as a "relief", though organisers cautioned that they will continue to prepare measures to hold the Games even without a vaccine. And Tokyo this month successfully staged a four-nation gymnastics competition, its first international sporting event during the pandemic, hailed as proof the Games are possible. In a possible preview of the restrictions Olympic athletes may face, gymnasts from the United States, China and Russia travelled on charter planes and were restricted to designated hotel floors, assigned buses and competition venues. Athletes had to isolate themselves before coming to Japan, and test negative 72 hours before arrival. They were also tested every day after their arrival. Spectators at the event had to wear face masks, sanitise their hands and undergo temperature checks, and were told not to shout or cheer. A coronavirus taskforce of Japanese government officials and Olympic organisers has proposed measures including limiting athlete movement and banning cheering in venues. Final decisions on rules are not expected before next spring. Bach said during a ceremony Monday he remained convinced Tokyo "continues to be the best prepared Olympic city". Japan's government has maintained a steadfastly upbeat position on the prospects for the Games, with Suga reiterating Monday that they would go ahead and serve "as proof that mankind overcame the virus". "Together we can make this Olympic Games and the Olympic flame the light at the end of the tunnel that we are all in during this coronavirus crisis," added Bach.

IOC's Bach 'very confident' Tokyo Olympics will have fans

Athletes arriving in Tokyo for next year’s Olympic Games, postponed from 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, will be exempt from the 14-day isolation period Japan has imposed on anyone arriving from overseas to help stop the virus spreading.

Olympic organisers said on Thursday details still need to be worked out, but measures for athletes are likely to include coronavirus testing within 72 hours before arriving in Japan. But they warned decisions on spectators from overseas have yet to be made, saying a 14-day quarantine was “impossible”.

“Athletes, coaches and Games officials that are eligible for the Tokyo Games will be allowed to enter the country, provided significant measures are made before they get to Japan,” Tokyo 2020 Chief Executive Officer Toshiro Muto told a news conference.

Muto was speaking after a meeting between officials from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the national government and Tokyo 2020 organisers on infection prevention procedures during the Games.

He said a decision on foreign spectators would be made next year, depending on pandemic developments.

“By next spring, we will be coming up with a plan for spectators, including non-Japanese spectators,” he said. “It is impossible to set a 14-day quarantine period for foreign spectators, so tests before and upon arrival are needed.”

Japan has held several recent test events, including a four-nation gymnastics meet last weekend, in which spectators have been admitted, but these were limited to residents of Japan.

International Olympic Committee head Thomas Bach is due in Japan for a three-day visit next week, at which Muto said he expected details of coronavirus counter-measures would be ironed out.

Reporting by Jack Tarrant; Writing by Sakura Murakami and Elaine L

Athletes arriving in Tokyo for next year’s Olympic Games, postponed from 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, will be exempt from the 14-day isolation period Japan has imposed on anyone arriving from overseas to help stop the virus spreading.

Athletes arriving in Tokyo for next year’s Olympic Games, postponed from 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, will be exempt from the 14-day isolation period Japan has imposed on anyone arriving from overseas to help stop the virus spreading. Olympic organisers said on Thursday details still need to be worked out, but measures for athletes are likely to include coronavirus testing within 72 hours before arriving in Japan. But they warned decisions on spectators from overseas have yet to be made, saying a 14-day quarantine was “impossible”. “Athletes, coaches and Games officials that are eligible for the Tokyo Games will be allowed to enter the country, provided significant measures are made before they get to Japan,” Tokyo 2020 Chief Executive Officer Toshiro Muto told a news conference. Muto was speaking after a meeting between officials from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the national government and Tokyo 2020 organisers on infection prevention procedures during the Games. He said a decision on foreign spectators would be made next year, depending on pandemic developments. “By next spring, we will be coming up with a plan for spectators, including non-Japanese spectators,” he said. “It is impossible to set a 14-day quarantine period for foreign spectators, so tests before and upon arrival are needed.” Japan has held several recent test events, including a four-nation gymnastics meet last weekend, in which spectators have been admitted, but these were limited to residents of Japan. International Olympic Committee head Thomas Bach is due in Japan for a three-day visit next week, at which Muto said he expected details of coronavirus counter-measures would be ironed out. Reporting by Jack Tarrant; Writing by Sakura Murakami and Elaine L

Tokyo Olympics athletes won't have to isolate for 14 days on arrival - organisers

After the announcement of rescheduling the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 doctors are assigned on the project to help COVID-19 infected athletes to get back on track.

Doctors helping athletes to get back on track for Tokyo Olympics 2021

The organisers of Tokyo Olympics on Friday offered refunds for tickets bought in Japan while promising more reimbursements if Games are cancelled or fewer seats are available due to COVID-19 issues at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

The big announcement comes after International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach warned that full stadiums “may not be possible” at Tokyo Olympics, scheduled to start a year late in July 2021.

Domestic fans who bought tickets can apply for a refund from November 10 to 30 or December 1 to 21 for the Paralympics, the Tokyo organising committee announced.

However, those who have bought tickets elsewhere in the world will have to look for refunds from their respective retailers. Notably, local fans in Japan who bought tickets can keep them and remain eligible for a refund if crowds are restricted in the Games.&nbsp;

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"Should we not be able to provide an opportunity to spectate the Games due to Covid-19, we will offer an additional opportunity to apply for a refund," the committee said in a statement.

Spokesman Masa Takaya said organisers "are not examining any cancellation (of the Games) or zero-spectator situation".&nbsp; 
Last-minute refunds are also being considered – for example, if an event has to be cancelled due to an athlete catching the dreaded virus.

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Around 4.48 million tickets have been sold for the Olympics thus far and nearly a million for the Paralympics, as per the organising committee.

According to the budget plan announced last in 2019, ticket sale should provide 90 billion yet or $860 million of the event’s 630 billion yet revenue.&nbsp;

The Games' most recent official price tag is 1.3 trillion yen ($12 billion), but the postponement and coronavirus countermeasures are set to increase that figure, though organisers are also seeking to slash costs where possible.

The organisers of Tokyo Olympics on Friday offered refunds for tickets bought in Japan while promising more reimbursements if Games are cancelled or fewer seats are available due to COVID-19 issues at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

The organisers of Tokyo Olympics on Friday offered refunds for tickets bought in Japan while promising more reimbursements if Games are cancelled or fewer seats are available due to COVID-19 issues at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021. The big announcement comes after International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach warned that full stadiums “may not be possible” at Tokyo Olympics, scheduled to start a year late in July 2021. Domestic fans who bought tickets can apply for a refund from November 10 to 30 or December 1 to 21 for the Paralympics, the Tokyo organising committee announced. However, those who have bought tickets elsewhere in the world will have to look for refunds from their respective retailers. Notably, local fans in Japan who bought tickets can keep them and remain eligible for a refund if crowds are restricted in the Games. ALSO READ: France 'bruised' after 'cowardly' terror attack in Nice: Lille coach Galtier "Should we not be able to provide an opportunity to spectate the Games due to Covid-19, we will offer an additional opportunity to apply for a refund," the committee said in a statement. Spokesman Masa Takaya said organisers "are not examining any cancellation (of the Games) or zero-spectator situation". Last-minute refunds are also being considered – for example, if an event has to be cancelled due to an athlete catching the dreaded virus. ALSO READ: 'You are not Zlatan, don't challenge the virus,' Ibrahimovic tells public Around 4.48 million tickets have been sold for the Olympics thus far and nearly a million for the Paralympics, as per the organising committee. According to the budget plan announced last in 2019, ticket sale should provide 90 billion yet or $860 million of the event’s 630 billion yet revenue. The Games' most recent official price tag is 1.3 trillion yen ($12 billion), but the postponement and coronavirus countermeasures are set to increase that figure, though organisers are also seeking to slash costs where possible.

Tokyo Olympics organisers launch refunds for Tokyo Olympics tickets

Tokyo Olympics organisers said they were on constant alert for cyberattacks Tuesday but had yet to suffer "significant impact" after Britain accused Russia of targeting the Games.

Britain's foreign ministry said Russian spies attacked the 2020 Games' organisers, logistics services and sponsors before the event was postponed by one year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tokyo 2020 officials said they had taken a range of countermeasures against digital attacks but did not disclose details, citing security concerns.

"While we have constantly monitored various types of cyberattack on the digital platforms owned by Tokyo 2020, no significant impact has been observed in our operations," an organising committee statement said.

Britain's allegations came as six Russian military intelligence officers were charged in the United States with carrying out cyberattacks on Ukraine's power grid, the 2017 French elections and the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games.

British daily The Guardian said alleged digital reconnaissance work on Tokyo 2020 had included spearphishing -- messages disguised to appear as if from a trusted friend or business connection, but which contain malware.

The planned attack also included setting up fake websites and researching individuals' account security, the newspaper said. 
Japan's Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto declined to directly address the report on Tuesday, but said that "since the London Games, cyberattacks have been increasing".

The US justice department said the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea were targeted after Russian athletes were banned from participating under their own flag because of government-sponsored doping efforts.

"Their cyber attack combined the emotional maturity of a petulant child with the resources of a nation state," he said, adding that they attempted to pin it on North Korea.

"During the opening ceremony, they launched the 'Olympic Destroyer' malware attack, which deleted data from thousands of computers supporting the Games, rendering them inoperable," he said.

Lee Hee-beom, former president and CEO of the Pyeongchang organising committee, said he was unaware who was responsible for the attack until now. 
"There was a hacking on the opening day but we could not not confirm its source," Lee told AFP.&nbsp;

"Internet connection was lost right after the ceremony from the hacking and we had to mobilise experts to restore it all night. Until now, I did not know who had done it."

Tokyo Olympics organisers said they were on constant alert for cyberattacks Tuesday but had yet to suffer "significant impact" after Britain accused Russia of targeting the Games.

Tokyo Olympics organisers said they were on constant alert for cyberattacks Tuesday but had yet to suffer "significant impact" after Britain accused Russia of targeting the Games. Britain's foreign ministry said Russian spies attacked the 2020 Games' organisers, logistics services and sponsors before the event was postponed by one year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Tokyo 2020 officials said they had taken a range of countermeasures against digital attacks but did not disclose details, citing security concerns. "While we have constantly monitored various types of cyberattack on the digital platforms owned by Tokyo 2020, no significant impact has been observed in our operations," an organising committee statement said. Britain's allegations came as six Russian military intelligence officers were charged in the United States with carrying out cyberattacks on Ukraine's power grid, the 2017 French elections and the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games. British daily The Guardian said alleged digital reconnaissance work on Tokyo 2020 had included spearphishing -- messages disguised to appear as if from a trusted friend or business connection, but which contain malware. The planned attack also included setting up fake websites and researching individuals' account security, the newspaper said. Japan's Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto declined to directly address the report on Tuesday, but said that "since the London Games, cyberattacks have been increasing". The US justice department said the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea were targeted after Russian athletes were banned from participating under their own flag because of government-sponsored doping efforts. "Their cyber attack combined the emotional maturity of a petulant child with the resources of a nation state," he said, adding that they attempted to pin it on North Korea. "During the opening ceremony, they launched the 'Olympic Destroyer' malware attack, which deleted data from thousands of computers supporting the Games, rendering them inoperable," he said. Lee Hee-beom, former president and CEO of the Pyeongchang organising committee, said he was unaware who was responsible for the attack until now. "There was a hacking on the opening day but we could not not confirm its source," Lee told AFP. "Internet connection was lost right after the ceremony from the hacking and we had to mobilise experts to restore it all night. Until now, I did not know who had done it."

Tokyo Olympics on alert for cyberattacks as alleged Russian plot revealed

Reports say that Asia's second-largest economy, Japan is set to declare a recession after 71 straight months of growth. Watch the WION report from Tokyo.

Recession coming in Japan: Asian economy sinks deeper

Senior Olympic official John Coates has reiterated that Tokyo must stage a simplified Summer Games next year with the health and safety of athletes the most important consideration in the planning.

Australian Coates heads up the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Tokyo 2020 Games, which have been postponed until 2021 because of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“The good news is that all 42 Games’ venues ... have been resecured. The competition schedule is the same,” the IOC Vice President wrote in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph on Friday, a day after the one-year countdown to the opening ceremony.

“But we must reduce the cost impact of postponement as well as simplify the Games to ensure they can be organised efficiently, safely and sustainably, in this new context.

“With one year to go, there is no clear picture of what shape the simplified Games will take. The situation with COVID-19, both domestically and internationally, is constantly changing.”

Coates wrote that putting in place counter-measures against COVID-19 would be no easy task but welcomed the top level commitment from the Japanese government, Tokyo regional government and Games organising committee to get it done.

“The IOC and our Japanese partners ... are doing everything in their power to ensure that not only will the Games go ahead next year, but the athletes remain first and foremost in all our planning,” he added.

“Yes, we want the athletes of the world to have their Olympic moment of competition, just as they would have dreamt. But critically, they must experience that moment in an environment where their health and safety ... is assured.”

Coates is also President of the Australian Olympic Committee and added that the reaction of his country’s athletes to the postponement had been “inspirational”.

“All athletes with a Tokyo dream in their hearts have had to recalibrate their plans for a Games ... they have demonstrated remarkable resilience in making that adjustment,” he wrote.

Senior Olympic official John Coates has reiterated that Tokyo must stage a simplified Summer Games next year with the health and safety of athletes the most important consideration in the planning.

Senior Olympic official John Coates has reiterated that Tokyo must stage a simplified Summer Games next year with the health and safety of athletes the most important consideration in the planning. Australian Coates heads up the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Tokyo 2020 Games, which have been postponed until 2021 because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. “The good news is that all 42 Games’ venues ... have been resecured. The competition schedule is the same,” the IOC Vice President wrote in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph on Friday, a day after the one-year countdown to the opening ceremony. “But we must reduce the cost impact of postponement as well as simplify the Games to ensure they can be organised efficiently, safely and sustainably, in this new context. “With one year to go, there is no clear picture of what shape the simplified Games will take. The situation with COVID-19, both domestically and internationally, is constantly changing.” Coates wrote that putting in place counter-measures against COVID-19 would be no easy task but welcomed the top level commitment from the Japanese government, Tokyo regional government and Games organising committee to get it done. “The IOC and our Japanese partners ... are doing everything in their power to ensure that not only will the Games go ahead next year, but the athletes remain first and foremost in all our planning,” he added. “Yes, we want the athletes of the world to have their Olympic moment of competition, just as they would have dreamt. But critically, they must experience that moment in an environment where their health and safety ... is assured.” Coates is also President of the Australian Olympic Committee and added that the reaction of his country’s athletes to the postponement had been “inspirational”. “All athletes with a Tokyo dream in their hearts have had to recalibrate their plans for a Games ... they have demonstrated remarkable resilience in making that adjustment,” he wrote.

Tokyo 2020 must be simple and safe, says IOC's Coates

Tokyo observed the original date a year ago. That was before the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the Olympics and pushed back the opening to July 23, 2021

Postponed Tokyo Olympics due to pandemic hit 1-year-to-go mark

Tokyo 2020 organisers will this autumn begin the task of devising safety protocols to allow the Games to take place if the coronavirus pandemic is still raging.

But Tokyo 2020, which had been due to start on Friday until it was postponed for a year, will not be the first Olympic Games to face a health crisis, although the scale of the challenge posed by COVID-19 is unprecedented.

AFP looks at previous Olympics that went ahead in the face of viral outbreaks.

&nbsp;

<h2>- Nagano 1998: Flu -</h2>

There was an outbreak of influenza the last time Japan hosted the Games -- the Winter Olympics in the central city of Nagano in 1998.

Nearly 1,500 schoolchildren in the Nagano region came down with the flu and some 200 people connected with the Games were taken ill -- although officials stressed other illnesses were also to blame.

The virus prevented Norwegian 1,500 metre gold medal-winning speed skater Adne Sondral from going for a double in the 1,000 metres.

German figure skating medal hopeful Tanja Szewczenko pulled out over health fears and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) also got involved, warning competitors against the flu and advising them to take on plenty of fluids.

That outbreak of flu was unrelated to the killer bird flu hitting southern China at the time.

&nbsp;

<h2>- Rio 2016: Zika -</h2>

Ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics, the talk was dominated by Zika, a mosquito-borne virus that can cause pregnant women to give birth to babies with microcephaly -- a deformation that results in abnormally small brains and heads.

The Zika outbreak began in 2015 and infected around 1.5 million people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), mainly in Brazil.

There was concern that international visitors to the Games could spread the virus globally, even though the WHO assessed the risk as "minimal."

Some leading tennis players and golfers -- including golf's current world number one Rory McIlroy -- decided not to compete due to fears over the virus.

The stories proved more dramatic than the facts, with no new cases reported during the Games.

&nbsp;

<h2>- Mexico 1968: Flu -</h2>

The 1968 Olympics in Mexico took place during one of the worst pandemics of the 20th century -- the Hong Kong Flu.

It spread throughout Asia after emerging in the then British colony neighbouring southern China, and had reached the Americas by late 1968, eventually killing around one million people but had little impact on the Games.

&nbsp;

<h2>- Antwerp 1920: Flu -</h2>

Held in the aftermath of the Spanish Flu, considered to be the most deadly in history and claiming up to 50 million lives, the Antwerp Games were seen as a symbol of humanity's effort to rebuild after the devastation of World War I.

Although the Spanish Flu killed five times more people than died in 1914-18 war, the impact of the virus was overshadowed by the global conflict.

A century on, Tokyo 2020 organisers have been at pains to stress that if the Games go ahead they will again stand as a beacon&nbsp;of triumph against adversity.

Tokyo 2020 organisers will this autumn begin the task of devising safety protocols to allow the Games to take place if the coronavirus pandemic is still raging. But Tokyo 2020, which had been due to start on Friday until it was postponed for a year, will not be the first Olympic Games to face a health crisis, although the scale of the challenge posed by COVID-19 is unprecedented.

Tokyo 2020 organisers will this autumn begin the task of devising safety protocols to allow the Games to take place if the coronavirus pandemic is still raging. But Tokyo 2020, which had been due to start on Friday until it was postponed for a year, will not be the first Olympic Games to face a health crisis, although the scale of the challenge posed by COVID-19 is unprecedented. AFP looks at previous Olympics that went ahead in the face of viral outbreaks. - Nagano 1998: Flu - There was an outbreak of influenza the last time Japan hosted the Games -- the Winter Olympics in the central city of Nagano in 1998. Nearly 1,500 schoolchildren in the Nagano region came down with the flu and some 200 people connected with the Games were taken ill -- although officials stressed other illnesses were also to blame. The virus prevented Norwegian 1,500 metre gold medal-winning speed skater Adne Sondral from going for a double in the 1,000 metres. German figure skating medal hopeful Tanja Szewczenko pulled out over health fears and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) also got involved, warning competitors against the flu and advising them to take on plenty of fluids. That outbreak of flu was unrelated to the killer bird flu hitting southern China at the time. - Rio 2016: Zika - Ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics, the talk was dominated by Zika, a mosquito-borne virus that can cause pregnant women to give birth to babies with microcephaly -- a deformation that results in abnormally small brains and heads. The Zika outbreak began in 2015 and infected around 1.5 million people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), mainly in Brazil. There was concern that international visitors to the Games could spread the virus globally, even though the WHO assessed the risk as "minimal." Some leading tennis players and golfers -- including golf's current world number one Rory McIlroy -- decided not to compete due to fears over the virus. The stories proved more dramatic than the facts, with no new cases reported during the Games. - Mexico 1968: Flu - The 1968 Olympics in Mexico took place during one of the worst pandemics of the 20th century -- the Hong Kong Flu. It spread throughout Asia after emerging in the then British colony neighbouring southern China, and had reached the Americas by late 1968, eventually killing around one million people but had little impact on the Games. - Antwerp 1920: Flu - Held in the aftermath of the Spanish Flu, considered to be the most deadly in history and claiming up to 50 million lives, the Antwerp Games were seen as a symbol of humanity's effort to rebuild after the devastation of World War I. Although the Spanish Flu killed five times more people than died in 1914-18 war, the impact of the virus was overshadowed by the global conflict. A century on, Tokyo 2020 organisers have been at pains to stress that if the Games go ahead they will again stand as a beacon of triumph against adversity.

When the Games went viral: historic Olympic health scares

The development of a coronavirus vaccine or treatment will be key to allowing the postponed Tokyo 2020 games to open in a year's time, organising committee president Yoshiro Mori said Wednesday.

Asked what factors will be crucial for the rescheduled Games to go ahead, Mori said "it would be whether the coronavirus woe is settling down."

"Specifically, the first point will be that a vaccine or drug has been developed," he said in an interview with national broadcaster NHK, published Wednesday.

Asked whether Tokyo could hold the Games if the virus situation remained unchanged, Mori said: "If things continue as they are now, we couldn't."

But he said that scenario was hypothetical. "I can't imagine a situation like this will continue for another year," he said

Tokyo 2020 should have been opening on Friday, but the Games were postponed in March as the coronavirus spread across the globe, marking&nbsp;the worst disruption to an Olympics since two editions were cancelled during World War II.

The Games are now set to open on July 23, 2021, but recent polls have shown less public enthusiasm for hosting the event, as virus cases show a resurgence in Japan.

Just one in four people in Japan want to see the delayed Tokyo Games held next year, with most backing either further delay or a cancellation, according to a survey published by Kyodo News this week.

Most of those backing a delay or cancellation said they simply didn't believe the pandemic could be contained in time for the Games.

Among the options that have been floated for a Games held during a pandemic is the possibility of limited spectators, or holding the event behind closed doors.

But Mori said reducing the number of spectators would be tough.

And he said holding the event without any fans was not an option for now.

"If it's the only way to do it, then it's something we'd have to consider. If that happens, there might be talk of cancellation," he was quoted as saying, without elaborating.

With just over a year to go until the rescheduled Games, there are persistent doubts about whether the delay will be sufficient for the pandemic to be brought under control.

Japan has so far reported 26,300 COVID-19 cases with 989 deaths, but Tokyo has seen an increase in cases recently and the country's borders remain almost completely sealed to overseas visitors.

The development of a coronavirus vaccine or treatment will be key to allowing the postponed Tokyo 2020 games to open in a year's time, organising committee president Yoshiro Mori said Wednesday.

The development of a coronavirus vaccine or treatment will be key to allowing the postponed Tokyo 2020 games to open in a year's time, organising committee president Yoshiro Mori said Wednesday. Asked what factors will be crucial for the rescheduled Games to go ahead, Mori said "it would be whether the coronavirus woe is settling down." "Specifically, the first point will be that a vaccine or drug has been developed," he said in an interview with national broadcaster NHK, published Wednesday. Asked whether Tokyo could hold the Games if the virus situation remained unchanged, Mori said: "If things continue as they are now, we couldn't." But he said that scenario was hypothetical. "I can't imagine a situation like this will continue for another year," he said Tokyo 2020 should have been opening on Friday, but the Games were postponed in March as the coronavirus spread across the globe, marking the worst disruption to an Olympics since two editions were cancelled during World War II. The Games are now set to open on July 23, 2021, but recent polls have shown less public enthusiasm for hosting the event, as virus cases show a resurgence in Japan. Just one in four people in Japan want to see the delayed Tokyo Games held next year, with most backing either further delay or a cancellation, according to a survey published by Kyodo News this week. Most of those backing a delay or cancellation said they simply didn't believe the pandemic could be contained in time for the Games. Among the options that have been floated for a Games held during a pandemic is the possibility of limited spectators, or holding the event behind closed doors. But Mori said reducing the number of spectators would be tough. And he said holding the event without any fans was not an option for now. "If it's the only way to do it, then it's something we'd have to consider. If that happens, there might be talk of cancellation," he was quoted as saying, without elaborating. With just over a year to go until the rescheduled Games, there are persistent doubts about whether the delay will be sufficient for the pandemic to be brought under control. Japan has so far reported 26,300 COVID-19 cases with 989 deaths, but Tokyo has seen an increase in cases recently and the country's borders remain almost completely sealed to overseas visitors.

Virus vaccine key for Olympics go-ahead in 2021: Tokyo chief

Tokyo 2020 organisers said Friday they have secured all the venues needed to hold the Olympics next summer, clearing a major hurdle to hosting the event postponed over the coronavirus.

Refunds for ticket holders unable to attend the rescheduled games will begin in late 2020, they added.

Tokyo 2020 reported the progress during an online meeting with the International Olympic Committee, confirming that the delayed Games will use all the venues originally booked for the event.

The 2021 event schedule will also be largely the same as the original, except for small changes made for logistical reasons, said Hidemasa Nakamura, Tokyo 2020 games delivery officer.

"There is still work to be done. But we have arrived at a major milestone," Nakamura told a briefing in Tokyo ahead of the IOC meeting.

With the schedule set, athletes can now begin to prepare in earnest for the delayed Games, due to open on July 23, 2021, said Koji Murofushi, Tokyo 2020 sports director.

"Now athletes aiming to take part in the Tokyo Olympics can set concrete goals to work toward," he said.

The Games' unprecedented delay has caused major logistical headaches and the final price tag for the postponement remains unclear.

Nakamura said organisers were continuing to discuss where to slash costs, adding that changes to "the opening and closing ceremonies are also on the table".

Among the myriad additional costs yet to be tallied will be compensation for businesses that have had their reservations at Olympic venues cancelled to make way for rescheduled events.

Tokyo 2020 organisers said Friday they have secured all the venues needed to hold the Olympics next summer, clearing a major hurdle to hosting the event postponed over the coronavirus.

Tokyo 2020 organisers said Friday they have secured all the venues needed to hold the Olympics next summer, clearing a major hurdle to hosting the event postponed over the coronavirus. Refunds for ticket holders unable to attend the rescheduled games will begin in late 2020, they added. Tokyo 2020 reported the progress during an online meeting with the International Olympic Committee, confirming that the delayed Games will use all the venues originally booked for the event. The 2021 event schedule will also be largely the same as the original, except for small changes made for logistical reasons, said Hidemasa Nakamura, Tokyo 2020 games delivery officer. "There is still work to be done. But we have arrived at a major milestone," Nakamura told a briefing in Tokyo ahead of the IOC meeting. With the schedule set, athletes can now begin to prepare in earnest for the delayed Games, due to open on July 23, 2021, said Koji Murofushi, Tokyo 2020 sports director. "Now athletes aiming to take part in the Tokyo Olympics can set concrete goals to work toward," he said. The Games' unprecedented delay has caused major logistical headaches and the final price tag for the postponement remains unclear. Nakamura said organisers were continuing to discuss where to slash costs, adding that changes to "the opening and closing ceremonies are also on the table". Among the myriad additional costs yet to be tallied will be compensation for businesses that have had their reservations at Olympic venues cancelled to make way for rescheduled events.

Venues secured for delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics: organisers

Banning fans from the Tokyo Olympics is "clearly something we don't want", International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach said, adding that "multiple scenarios" were under consideration for the rescheduled Games.

Bach said safety was the top concern for organisers of the Tokyo Olympics, which were due to start next week but have been postponed for a year over the COVID-19 pandemic.

But he clearly signalled his reluctance to hold the Games at empty stadiums, now a common sight in sport as other competitions make a tentative return from virus-enforced shutdowns.

"Olympic Games behind closed doors is clearly something we do not want," the IOC president told reporters in a video call.

"So we are working for a solution of the Olympic Games which, on one hand, is safeguarding the health of all the participants and, on the other hand, is also reflecting the Olympic spirit."

Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have both warned that it would be hard to postpone the Games beyond 2021, raising the nightmare scenario of the first Olympics to be cancelled in peace time.

"The first priority is about the safety of all participants of the Olympic Games," said Bach.

"For this reason, we are working now on multiple scenarios of the organisation of the Games with regard to the health situation of which we do not know how it will be in one year from now."

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike last month told AFP she would make a "120 percent effort" for the Games to go ahead, pledging the Olympics would be safe despite the pandemic.

On Wednesday Tokyo moved its coronavirus alert to red, the highest level, after a resurgence of cases in Japan's capital.

Banning fans from the Tokyo Olympics is "clearly something we don't want", International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach said, adding that "multiple scenarios" were under consideration for the rescheduled Games.

Banning fans from the Tokyo Olympics is "clearly something we don't want", International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach said, adding that "multiple scenarios" were under consideration for the rescheduled Games. Bach said safety was the top concern for organisers of the Tokyo Olympics, which were due to start next week but have been postponed for a year over the COVID-19 pandemic. But he clearly signalled his reluctance to hold the Games at empty stadiums, now a common sight in sport as other competitions make a tentative return from virus-enforced shutdowns. "Olympic Games behind closed doors is clearly something we do not want," the IOC president told reporters in a video call. "So we are working for a solution of the Olympic Games which, on one hand, is safeguarding the health of all the participants and, on the other hand, is also reflecting the Olympic spirit." Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have both warned that it would be hard to postpone the Games beyond 2021, raising the nightmare scenario of the first Olympics to be cancelled in peace time. "The first priority is about the safety of all participants of the Olympic Games," said Bach. "For this reason, we are working now on multiple scenarios of the organisation of the Games with regard to the health situation of which we do not know how it will be in one year from now." Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike last month told AFP she would make a "120 percent effort" for the Games to go ahead, pledging the Olympics would be safe despite the pandemic. On Wednesday Tokyo moved its coronavirus alert to red, the highest level, after a resurgence of cases in Japan's capital.

Olympics boss reluctant to hold Tokyo Games behind closed doors

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, often floated as a future Japanese premier, said on Monday the Olympics must go ahead next year as a symbol of world unity in overcoming the novel coronavirus, even as her city grapples with stubborn spikes in cases.

Japan has not seen an explosive coronavirus outbreak as suffered in some other places but a recent increase in cases in Tokyo, which accounts for more than a third of its more than 20,000 total, has fanned worries about a second wave of infections.

The 2020 Olympics were scheduled to start this month but were postponed because of the coronavirus. Koike has pledged to win public support for the Games, although a media survey showed a majority think they should be cancelled or postponed again.

“I want to host them as a symbol of the world coming together to overcome this tough situation and of strengthened bonds among humankind,” Koike told Reuters in an online interview.

She declined to specify a deadline for deciding if the Games could go ahead.

A media-savvy former television announcer who speaks English and Arabic, Koike is to many a paradox: a global thinker with a nationalist tinge; a political outsider who advanced with help from old-boy mentors, and a risk-taker who shied away from the big gamble of running for parliament in 2017 as head of her upstart “Party of Hope”.

The party floundered after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called a snap election.

Instead, Koike stayed on as Tokyo governor and has won plaudits for her straight-talking handling of the COVID-19 outbreak in contrast to what critics called Abe’s clumsy response.

She was re-elected by a landslide last week, reigniting talk she has a shot at becoming Japan’s first woman prime minister.

On Monday, she sought to brush such speculation aside.

“I’m happy that people have hopes for me but I received support for a second term as governor,” she said.

“I want to protect the lives and health of the people of Tokyo by addressing the immediate issue of policies for the coronavirus. That is my greatest mission.”

<h2>POLITICAL MACHINE?</h2>

Tokyo’s jump in COVID-19 cases comes as Abe’s government prepares to launch a campaign to promote domestic tourism, but that has raised concern about spreading the virus outside the capital.

Koike said it was important both to contain the virus and revive the slumping economy.

“At present, a tough situation continues but ... by taking a proper response in Tokyo, I want to advance both the prevention of infections and social and economic activity,” she said.

Tokyo accounts for about 20% of Japan’s economy.

Koike, who clashed with Abe’s administration over the timing of a state of emergency, and over which businesses to target for shutdowns, said she wanted greater clarity on local governments’ authority during the crisis.

A veteran member of parliament before defying Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to make her 2016 bid for governor, Koike also wants to make the metropolis a global financial centre by luring foreign talent.

Still, speculation persists that she could yet aim for Japan’s top job.

She has already broken several glass ceilings: first female governor of Tokyo, Japan’s first female defence minister and the first woman to run for LDP president.

But creating a new political machine to vault her to the top would be tough, political analysts said.

“Does she have what it takes to be prime minister? Absolutely. But she doesn’t have the political machine that can make it happen,” said a source who has advised Koike for years.

A return to the LDP fold would also face obstacles, given that mutual antagonism runs deep.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, often floated as a future Japanese premier, said on Monday the Olympics must go ahead next year as a symbol of world unity in overcoming the novel coronavirus, even as her city grapples with stubborn spikes in cases.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, often floated as a future Japanese premier, said on Monday the Olympics must go ahead next year as a symbol of world unity in overcoming the novel coronavirus, even as her city grapples with stubborn spikes in cases. Japan has not seen an explosive coronavirus outbreak as suffered in some other places but a recent increase in cases in Tokyo, which accounts for more than a third of its more than 20,000 total, has fanned worries about a second wave of infections. The 2020 Olympics were scheduled to start this month but were postponed because of the coronavirus. Koike has pledged to win public support for the Games, although a media survey showed a majority think they should be cancelled or postponed again. “I want to host them as a symbol of the world coming together to overcome this tough situation and of strengthened bonds among humankind,” Koike told Reuters in an online interview. She declined to specify a deadline for deciding if the Games could go ahead. A media-savvy former television announcer who speaks English and Arabic, Koike is to many a paradox: a global thinker with a nationalist tinge; a political outsider who advanced with help from old-boy mentors, and a risk-taker who shied away from the big gamble of running for parliament in 2017 as head of her upstart “Party of Hope”. The party floundered after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called a snap election. Instead, Koike stayed on as Tokyo governor and has won plaudits for her straight-talking handling of the COVID-19 outbreak in contrast to what critics called Abe’s clumsy response. She was re-elected by a landslide last week, reigniting talk she has a shot at becoming Japan’s first woman prime minister. On Monday, she sought to brush such speculation aside. “I’m happy that people have hopes for me but I received support for a second term as governor,” she said. “I want to protect the lives and health of the people of Tokyo by addressing the immediate issue of policies for the coronavirus. That is my greatest mission.” POLITICAL MACHINE? Tokyo’s jump in COVID-19 cases comes as Abe’s government prepares to launch a campaign to promote domestic tourism, but that has raised concern about spreading the virus outside the capital. Koike said it was important both to contain the virus and revive the slumping economy. “At present, a tough situation continues but ... by taking a proper response in Tokyo, I want to advance both the prevention of infections and social and economic activity,” she said. Tokyo accounts for about 20% of Japan’s economy. Koike, who clashed with Abe’s administration over the timing of a state of emergency, and over which businesses to target for shutdowns, said she wanted greater clarity on local governments’ authority during the crisis. A veteran member of parliament before defying Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to make her 2016 bid for governor, Koike also wants to make the metropolis a global financial centre by luring foreign talent. Still, speculation persists that she could yet aim for Japan’s top job. She has already broken several glass ceilings: first female governor of Tokyo, Japan’s first female defence minister and the first woman to run for LDP president. But creating a new political machine to vault her to the top would be tough, political analysts said. “Does she have what it takes to be prime minister? Absolutely. But she doesn’t have the political machine that can make it happen,” said a source who has advised Koike for years. A return to the LDP fold would also face obstacles, given that mutual antagonism runs deep.

Olympics must go ahead next year as symbol of overcoming COVID-19, Tokyo governor says

With just over a year to go until the Tokyo Olympics, medical experts say the event could pose a grave health risk to the Japanese public, predicting that few people will have coronavirus antibodies and that vaccines will not be widely available.

Olympic organisers and the Japanese and Tokyo metropolitan governments are scrambling for steps to prevent the pandemic from derailing the event. But they say concrete plans are unlikely to shape up before the end of this year.

The global death toll from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus, reached half a million late last month, and cases topped 10 million.

Although Tokyo on Thursday confirmed 224 new infections, a record high for a single day, Japan has largely avoided the disastrous effects seen in other countries.

That has scientists and medical experts concerned about how things might look next summer, a year after the Tokyo Games were postponed.

In interviews with a dozen infectious diseases experts, a common theme emerged: the Olympics would increase the risk of an outbreak.

“Infection will flare up if we push ahead with the Olympics and hold them. There is no doubt about it,” said Daiichi Morii, a doctor at Osaka University Hospital’s infection control team.

“The virus is barely under control as we are putting a halt on the inflow of people from overseas,” Morii added. “With events like the Olympics, the virus will come in for sure and the number of infections will shoot up inevitably.”

Japan’s success in containing the virus is part of the reason. A recent government survey showed only 0.1% of Tokyo residents have coronavirus antibodies. That is much lower than 14% in the state of New York in April, and 7% in Stockholm.

“Very few are infected in Japan and pretty much everyone is susceptible,” said Katsunori Yanagihara, professor in Nagasaki University’s school of tropical medicine and global health.

Antibodies help fight off infections, and scientists say having antibodies for the coronavirus might provide protection against re-infection. &nbsp;&nbsp;

There are more than 100 potential vaccines in development, but experts say none will likely be available in enough quantity in time for the Olympics, which involves about 200 countries.

“Even if a vaccine has been developed by then, it’s near impossible for it to go around the world,” said Atsuo Hamada, a professor at Tokyo Medical University Hospital.

A Tokyo voter survey by the Asahi Shimbun daily late last month showed that 59 percent of those polled believe the Olympics should be cancelled or postponed again, underscoring the public’s nagging worries about the pandemic.

In a bid to address such concerns, Yoshiro Mori, head of the Tokyo Olympic organising committee, on Monday told the capital’s governor, Yuriko Koike, that he planned to set up a task force with the central and metropolitan governments by September.

In the meeting, they discussed infection screening for foreign visitors and limiting crowd sizes, public broadcaster NHK reported.

Japan has had only about 20,000 cases and 980 deaths. Researchers have cited various factors for those low numbers, from the nation’s robust healthcare system to infrequent hugging and handshaking. But they say there is no clear single reason for the country’s success.

Norio Sugaya, a member of the World Health Organization’s influenza panel, said people in Japan should not feel secure just because of the relatively small scale of infections and deaths there so far.

“Talks about how Japan has ridden out the first wave successfully. Talks about ‘Japan miracle’. Those make me very worried,” Sugaya said. “It’s terrifying if there are people out there who believe Japan is invincible.”

With just over a year to go until the Tokyo Olympics, medical experts say the event could pose a grave health risk to the Japanese public, predicting that few people will have coronavirus antibodies and that vaccines will not be widely available.

With just over a year to go until the Tokyo Olympics, medical experts say the event could pose a grave health risk to the Japanese public, predicting that few people will have coronavirus antibodies and that vaccines will not be widely available. Olympic organisers and the Japanese and Tokyo metropolitan governments are scrambling for steps to prevent the pandemic from derailing the event. But they say concrete plans are unlikely to shape up before the end of this year. The global death toll from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus, reached half a million late last month, and cases topped 10 million. Although Tokyo on Thursday confirmed 224 new infections, a record high for a single day, Japan has largely avoided the disastrous effects seen in other countries. That has scientists and medical experts concerned about how things might look next summer, a year after the Tokyo Games were postponed. In interviews with a dozen infectious diseases experts, a common theme emerged: the Olympics would increase the risk of an outbreak. “Infection will flare up if we push ahead with the Olympics and hold them. There is no doubt about it,” said Daiichi Morii, a doctor at Osaka University Hospital’s infection control team. “The virus is barely under control as we are putting a halt on the inflow of people from overseas,” Morii added. “With events like the Olympics, the virus will come in for sure and the number of infections will shoot up inevitably.” Japan’s success in containing the virus is part of the reason. A recent government survey showed only 0.1% of Tokyo residents have coronavirus antibodies. That is much lower than 14% in the state of New York in April, and 7% in Stockholm. “Very few are infected in Japan and pretty much everyone is susceptible,” said Katsunori Yanagihara, professor in Nagasaki University’s school of tropical medicine and global health. Antibodies help fight off infections, and scientists say having antibodies for the coronavirus might provide protection against re-infection. There are more than 100 potential vaccines in development, but experts say none will likely be available in enough quantity in time for the Olympics, which involves about 200 countries. “Even if a vaccine has been developed by then, it’s near impossible for it to go around the world,” said Atsuo Hamada, a professor at Tokyo Medical University Hospital. A Tokyo voter survey by the Asahi Shimbun daily late last month showed that 59 percent of those polled believe the Olympics should be cancelled or postponed again, underscoring the public’s nagging worries about the pandemic. In a bid to address such concerns, Yoshiro Mori, head of the Tokyo Olympic organising committee, on Monday told the capital’s governor, Yuriko Koike, that he planned to set up a task force with the central and metropolitan governments by September. In the meeting, they discussed infection screening for foreign visitors and limiting crowd sizes, public broadcaster NHK reported. Japan has had only about 20,000 cases and 980 deaths. Researchers have cited various factors for those low numbers, from the nation’s robust healthcare system to infrequent hugging and handshaking. But they say there is no clear single reason for the country’s success. Norio Sugaya, a member of the World Health Organization’s influenza panel, said people in Japan should not feel secure just because of the relatively small scale of infections and deaths there so far. “Talks about how Japan has ridden out the first wave successfully. Talks about ‘Japan miracle’. Those make me very worried,” Sugaya said. “It’s terrifying if there are people out there who believe Japan is invincible.”

With one year to go, experts warn of high-risk Tokyo Olympics amid pandemic

Tokyo Olympics organisers are hoping to use all the venues as originally planned at the 2021 rearranged Games. Locking on the venues was a top priority for the organisers of the Tokyo Olympics as the Games were pushed back to 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

As per several reports in Japanese media, organisers are hopeful of using all the venues as planned in the Tokyo Olympics, which was supposed to be held in 2020 but was postponed amid coronavirus pandemic.

As per Kyodo and NHK, who cited unnamed sources, organisers of the 2021 Games are now confident that all the original venues would be tied down for the Olympics again.

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However, Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya, at his weekly news conference, said the reports were “optimistic” but added that nothing has finalised and announced.&nbsp;

“We have seen a series of media reports concerning the status of securing venues for the Games in 2021,” said Takaya.

"Tokyo 2020 is aware of these reports but I need to be very clear ... this is not something on which Tokyo Metropolitan Government or the Tokyo organising committee has made a formal announcement.

The organising committee has not made such an announcement at this stage and during this process, it is very unfortunate to see such reports based on this optimistic view.”

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Earlier in June, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto had said that 80 per cent off all venues needed was already secured with Athlete’s Village and Tokyo Big Sight – the media centre – among those yet to be completely secured.

However, Thursday’s reports even stated that competition scheduled would remain mostly unchanged and all ticket holders would be eligible for refunds while adding that the organisers of the Games would seek approval of these decisions on IOC’s General Assembly on July 17.

When asked about those details, Takaya said nothing has been decided and Tokyo 2020 didn’t expect to seek approval from the IOC next week. 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Tokyo Olympics organisers are hoping to use all the venues as originally planned at the 2021 rearranged Games. Locking on the venues was a top priority for the organisers of the Tokyo Olympics as the Games were pushed back to 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Tokyo Olympics organisers are hoping to use all the venues as originally planned at the 2021 rearranged Games. Locking on the venues was a top priority for the organisers of the Tokyo Olympics as the Games were pushed back to 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic. As per several reports in Japanese media, organisers are hopeful of using all the venues as planned in the Tokyo Olympics, which was supposed to be held in 2020 but was postponed amid coronavirus pandemic. As per Kyodo and NHK, who cited unnamed sources, organisers of the 2021 Games are now confident that all the original venues would be tied down for the Olympics again. ALSO READ: FIFA wants uniform global use of VAR, says refs chief Collina However, Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya, at his weekly news conference, said the reports were “optimistic” but added that nothing has finalised and announced. “We have seen a series of media reports concerning the status of securing venues for the Games in 2021,” said Takaya. "Tokyo 2020 is aware of these reports but I need to be very clear ... this is not something on which Tokyo Metropolitan Government or the Tokyo organising committee has made a formal announcement. The organising committee has not made such an announcement at this stage and during this process, it is very unfortunate to see such reports based on this optimistic view.” ALSO READ: Chris Froome to leave Team Ineos at end of season Earlier in June, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto had said that 80 per cent off all venues needed was already secured with Athlete’s Village and Tokyo Big Sight – the media centre – among those yet to be completely secured. However, Thursday’s reports even stated that competition scheduled would remain mostly unchanged and all ticket holders would be eligible for refunds while adding that the organisers of the Games would seek approval of these decisions on IOC’s General Assembly on July 17. When asked about those details, Takaya said nothing has been decided and Tokyo 2020 didn’t expect to seek approval from the IOC next week.

Tokyo 2020 looks to secure all venues for the postponed Games: Reports

The race for the governor of Tokyo has picked up the pace with the Olympics coming into the debate. The cost to postpone the Games is in billions and the debate garnered public attention after Taro Yamamoto, a popular actor turned politician, after the opening of the election campaign, said that the Tokyo Olympics should be cancelled as there is still major uncertainty over the vaccine while suggesting the funds saved from the postponement should be redirected to help people struggling from economic disaster.&nbsp;

Incumbent Yuriko Koike is a strong favourite to be reelected and has a strong stance in support of the Games. However, Yamamoto is of the view that the Games should be cancelled as they don’t have a vaccine yet.&nbsp;

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<h2>"The Olympics should be canceled"</h2>

“The Olympics should be canceled," Yamamoto told Koike. “There is no guarantee to hold the games safely in Tokyo, and we don’t have a vaccine yet" for COVID-19.

Yamamoto has alarmed the organisers about brining 11,000 Olympic athletes from around 200 nations and territories, 4,400 Paralympians and thousands more staff, technical officials, broadcasters and media personnel. Fans could bring in more headache for the organisers. Up to 80,000 volunteers were expected to join in before the pandemic hit.&nbsp;

"Tokyo will turn into a Petri dish by having so many people coming from around the world,” Yamamoto said. “We should notify the International Olympic Committee that Tokyo cannot hold the event safely.”

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Increase in bills is a massive issue. Estimates say one-year postponement will cost $2 billion to $6 billion.

Tokyo said it is spending $12.6 billion to organise the Games. Around $5.6 billion is public money. Tokyo had estimated that the cost to organise Games would be $7.3 billion in 2013.&nbsp;

"While many children and athletes are earnestly looking forward to the Olympics, we must keep the coronavirus under control, and the question is if a vaccine will be ready by then. It’s a race against time.” Koike said.

“There are many issues to be resolved,” Koike said. “But when we have a major global goal and share it, and when it becomes a proof of victory in our fight against the coronavirus, what a meaningful event it will be.”&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The race for the governor of Tokyo has picked up the pace with the Olympics coming into the debate. The cost to postpone the Games is in billions and the debate garnered public attention after Taro Yamamoto, a popular actor turned politician, after the opening of the election campaign, said that the Tokyo Olympics should be cancelled as there is still major uncertainty over the vaccine while suggesting the funds saved from the postponement should be redirected to help people struggling from economic disaster.

The race for the governor of Tokyo has picked up the pace with the Olympics coming into the debate. The cost to postpone the Games is in billions and the debate garnered public attention after Taro Yamamoto, a popular actor turned politician, after the opening of the election campaign, said that the Tokyo Olympics should be cancelled as there is still major uncertainty over the vaccine while suggesting the funds saved from the postponement should be redirected to help people struggling from economic disaster. Incumbent Yuriko Koike is a strong favourite to be reelected and has a strong stance in support of the Games. However, Yamamoto is of the view that the Games should be cancelled as they don’t have a vaccine yet. ALSO READ: Premier League: Man City provide injury update on Eric Garcia after horrific collision with Ederson "The Olympics should be canceled" “The Olympics should be canceled," Yamamoto told Koike. “There is no guarantee to hold the games safely in Tokyo, and we don’t have a vaccine yet" for COVID-19. Yamamoto has alarmed the organisers about brining 11,000 Olympic athletes from around 200 nations and territories, 4,400 Paralympians and thousands more staff, technical officials, broadcasters and media personnel. Fans could bring in more headache for the organisers. Up to 80,000 volunteers were expected to join in before the pandemic hit. "Tokyo will turn into a Petri dish by having so many people coming from around the world,” Yamamoto said. “We should notify the International Olympic Committee that Tokyo cannot hold the event safely.” ALSO READ: Chelsea sign RB Leipzig's Timo Werner: All you need to know about German forward Increase in bills is a massive issue. Estimates say one-year postponement will cost $2 billion to $6 billion. Tokyo said it is spending $12.6 billion to organise the Games. Around $5.6 billion is public money. Tokyo had estimated that the cost to organise Games would be $7.3 billion in 2013. "While many children and athletes are earnestly looking forward to the Olympics, we must keep the coronavirus under control, and the question is if a vaccine will be ready by then. It’s a race against time.” Koike said. “There are many issues to be resolved,” Koike said. “But when we have a major global goal and share it, and when it becomes a proof of victory in our fight against the coronavirus, what a meaningful event it will be.”

'We don't have vaccine yet' - Calls to cancel Olympics in race for Tokyo governor

Former Indian hockey coach said that 'Olympics should be delayed'

Michael Nobbs, former Indian hockey Coach

India's sports stars have had to adapt to a rather secluded life during the current lockdown. most have been helping out at home and trying innovative ways to stay fit. some are even pondering abound a possible career switch....badminton ace Ashwini Ponnappa is trying out for a possible role in the wion sports team. watch her turn the tables and interview sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo

A role reversal as badminton ace Ashwini Ponnappa interviews WION sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo

Five-time world champion and India's first-ever grandmaster, Viswanathan Anand, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, opened up about life in and after lockdown, how he is spending his time in Germany, postponement of Tokyo Olympics, online chess with his son and much more…

Watch: WION Sports Broadband Edition with Viswanathan Anand

Former Commonwealth Games gold medalist and current shooting high-performance manager, Ronak Pandit, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, SAI's SOPs, how Indian shooters can regain momentum, Tokyo Olympics and roadmap for 2024 Olympics, how shooting can come back to life ahead of 2021 Games and much more.

Digvijay Singh Deo: Ronak,&nbsp;how has life in the lockdown been for you in Pune, would have preferred to be at your family home in Mumbai or is this better?

Ronak Pandit: I think the lockdown hasn't been easy for anyone. Fortunately, I got back home to my wife, Heena Sidhu, just two days before the lockdown started. This period has actually been a blessing in disguise because it has given us time to reflect and introspect, which we are otherwise not able to do because of our busy schedules.

DSD: You have always been a very energetic chap so I am curious to know how you would have reacted to being indoors for such a long period...

Ronak Pandit: I think one of the virtues that shooting teaches us is patience and now is the time to make use of it. Heena and I have been channelling our energy and been putting it to some constructive use. There has been a major change in our schedule as well, we go to sleep by about 9-9:30 pm and wake up at 4:30 am. We have changed our routine and used our time to do something productive. Heena has been training as well, we are working on some technical aspects of her game, which we otherwise wouldn't have had time to address. We keep complaining about the high number of tournaments in the calendar, so now is the time to go back to the drawing board and work on the fundamentals of the sport.

<img alt="Ronak Pandit and Heena Sidhu" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b8d24e52-b999-4a45-9906-e2c844820edd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_13V5NS.jpg" />

DSD: Now with the SOPs gradually coming out for the resumption of sport you will probably have to coordinate between coaches and shooters to come up with a road-map for Tokyo 2021.

Ronak Pandit: Yes, we've had at least six meetings with the federation, the Sports Authority of India, coaches and players on the road-map for the future. I think this is an unprecedented crisis and there is a lot of uncertainty with regard to the coronavirus. No one really knows when we will be able to return to our normal lives and there is also a possibility of a second wave in the near future. So we have prepared three contingency plans in place and have been coordinating regularly with the various stakeholders of the game. We have also ensured that top shooters have access to the necessary equipment which allows them to set up temporary ranges at home. Hence the shooters will be able to keep in touch with the game on some level and they will find it easier to return to their peak when things open up.

DSD: I'm going to ask you a direct question, is it possible for Indian shooting to regain momentum for the Olympics. We were looking at a possible medal haul of around 3-5 medals had the Olympics been held as per schedule, so how big a hit is this break for Indian shooting?

Ronak Pandit: I think it's a huge setback, not only for Indian shooting but for everyone else in the world. It's like working on a very important presentation on your laptop and suddenly it crashes. Then you have no option but to start from scratch. However I believe that we have dealt with the situation in the best possible way, we are relatively better prepared than most other countries. As Indians, we are used to constantly adapting to the changing circumstances.we have never achieved anything the easy way and that has taught us to always find a solution to the problem. We have been in constant communication with the shooters, so they know what is in the pipeline. We have been conducting weekly training sessions with them and tracking their scores in some of the online competitions. We haven't created a very hectic schedule, as it is also important for them to get some downtime. The tables have completely turned because earlier shooters used to complain about their lack of rest because of the gruelling schedule, but now there is no competition on the cards. It is difficult for shooters to keep their motivation levels high with nothing to work towards, but overall they have dealt well with the crisis.

DSD: Both Manavjit Sandhu and Abhinav Bindra seemed to suggest that it is the more experienced and older athletes who will negotiate this period better. Most of the Indian Olympic quota holders are all first-timers. Is that a big worry and what is the way around it?

Ronak Pandit: I would actually look at it differently. The experienced shooters are used to a certain calendar every year, their body and mind are tuned to that annual schedule which has been built over many years, so this sudden break will affect them to a great extent. Whereas the younger generation, who has been competing internationally for just two years, is untroubled. This break doesn't really matter to them because they just want to compete and win medals at the highest level, whether that be tomorrow or next year. Our young shooters have dominated the sport recently and they are fearless. They are full of energy and just desperate to be at the Olympics. So their enthusiasm is their biggest advantage. Their hunger has not been diminished by this break and they are still headed in the right direction. The theory might suggest that the older ones will deal with this crisis better, but personally I fell the young shooters are better equipped to overcome this roadblock.

<img alt="HEENA SIDHU AND MANU BHAKER" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9c2aa09d-da58-469d-87f5-552e101bbaec" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_13T062.jpg" />

DSD: Just from experience Ronak, shooting should be a sport that is easy to resume as it is highly individualised while social distancing is also easy to enforce.

Ronak Pandit: Absolutely, I don't see any major reason not to resume training or competitions anytime soon. Shooters can occupy alternate lanes at ranges and the intervals between relays can be increased so that one batch has enough time to vacate the premises before the next group arrives. The number of participants in an event will have to be reduced and if some other policy tweaks are made, then we should be back competing very soon. There is no contact and no sharing of equipment, so the risk of transmission is minimal in the sport.

DSD: Is it time for tough decisions in your sport. Does the NRAI need to prioritise the Olympic team for the next 6 months and forget about everyone else till a vaccine is found? It's not ideal but you can't have 10,000 people at nationals.

Ronak Pandit: I think we have to be more far-sighted in our planning. We cannot just prepare the 15 shooters for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and ignore the other shooting talent in the country. The quota places for the next Olympics will be up for grabs just 6 months after the Tokyo Games and we must have a plan that ensures we succeed in the long term and not just at the 2021 games. Obviously we don't need to focus on 10,000 shooters but I also see no reason to only use our resources for the development of 15 shooters. I think we can easily work with about the top 150 shooters at this point. If the lockdown continues into June and July, we have identified shooting ranges which are near to the shooters' respective houses all over the country and made special provisions for them to train. We have also made it possible for the 10-metre event shooters to set up a facility at their houses. If we work with a larger pool of shooters, it will considerably improve our chances of maintaining high levels of performance in the future.

DSD: Will the logistics be the bigger problem now, getting everyone together, interaction with coaches. A big takeaway from Rio debacle was the need to constantly monitor athletes. Does it make sense to organise isolated camps for shooters from different events?

Ronak Pandit: Right now the interaction between the shooters and coaches is limited to online video conferences. Once movement is allowed, we will have to mobilise the shooters at one location for training. We are trying to decide on the venue of these camps because it will also take time for us to figure out the logistics. I don't think it will be possible for us to hold separate camps for different events because the coaches have to supervise shooters at all times, otherwise there is no point of holding the camp. We are hoping to get these camps up and running in early August.

DSD: As someone mandated to keep tabs on high performance, how do you ensure shooters maintain their competitive edge without any competition...

Ronak Pandit: If we are able to start our training camps in August, then I feel we will have enough time to get our shooters ready for the Olympics. At the moment, we are only focussing on the Olympics and not any other competition, so we don't need our shooters to reach their peak in say, December. Once we get back to the camps, &nbsp;the coaches will decide which shooters will begin competition preparation after a certain point of time, it is a long process. It will take time for the players to get back in the zone. I think it will be better for shooters to work on the basics in the first few months, when some minor goal-oriented training can take place. I have no doubt in my mind that if we start training in august, then by December our shooters will be close to their peak.

DSD: Now NRAI had a selection policy in place. But can rankings of 2018 be taken to select a team for an event in 2021? Should there not be a revised policy now?

Ronak Pandit: I think the existing policy got us some great results and we definitely had the best possible team for the original 2020 Olympics. However, after the postponement, we do need to take another look at the criteria to ensure the best team goes to the 2021 games. It is also a moral question, because the 15 shooters that were in line to compete at the 2020 games, had proven themselves at the highest level over the last few years and thoroughly deserved their spot in the team. So in that sense, it is difficult to question their merit. But the fact is that a lot can change in the space of 6 months to a year. We have seen so many shooters excel at major events in a particular year and then suffer a meltdown the next year. I think that the original 15 shooters should be given all the support they need by the NRAI, but the federation should also keep an eye on the performance of the other shooters. That is the suggestion I have given to the NRAI. If those 15 shooters are still the best in January or February 2021, then that should be the final team. At the end of the day, the best shooters should represent India at the Olympics.

<img alt="Saurabh Chaudhary and Abhishek Verma" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="75ec19a3-d4f6-446c-bf7a-5bccfd1ddb2a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_18I253.jpg" />

DSD: Shooting is in a great position because more than 95 per cent of the Olympic berths have been secured. Considering social distancing and quarantine regulations, should the field be limited at events next year leading up to the Olympics. Maybe 2 member teams per event like we see at the Commonwealth Games.

Ronak Pandit: Absolutely. I believe only those shooters who have qualified for the Olympics should be allowed to participate in the events leading up to the games. There will be some major changes that will need to take place in the 2021 events as well for competitions to take place. We might have to conduct competitions simultaneously in safe zones and ISSF observers could monitor the scores at these events to ensure fair-play. Overall, we must adapt to the circumstances otherwise I see 2021 also being a washout year for shooting. 
&nbsp;

Former Commonwealth Games gold medalist and current shooting high-performance manager, Ronak Pandit, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, SAI's SOPs, how Indian shooters can regain momentum, Tokyo Olympics and roadmap for 2024 Olympics, how shooting can come back to life ahead of 2021 Games and much more.

Former Commonwealth Games gold medalist and current shooting high-performance manager, Ronak Pandit, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, SAI's SOPs, how Indian shooters can regain momentum, Tokyo Olympics and roadmap for 2024 Olympics, how shooting can come back to life ahead of 2021 Games and much more. Digvijay Singh Deo: Ronak, how has life in the lockdown been for you in Pune, would have preferred to be at your family home in Mumbai or is this better? Ronak Pandit: I think the lockdown hasn't been easy for anyone. Fortunately, I got back home to my wife, Heena Sidhu, just two days before the lockdown started. This period has actually been a blessing in disguise because it has given us time to reflect and introspect, which we are otherwise not able to do because of our busy schedules. DSD: You have always been a very energetic chap so I am curious to know how you would have reacted to being indoors for such a long period... Ronak Pandit: I think one of the virtues that shooting teaches us is patience and now is the time to make use of it. Heena and I have been channelling our energy and been putting it to some constructive use. There has been a major change in our schedule as well, we go to sleep by about 9-9:30 pm and wake up at 4:30 am. We have changed our routine and used our time to do something productive. Heena has been training as well, we are working on some technical aspects of her game, which we otherwise wouldn't have had time to address. We keep complaining about the high number of tournaments in the calendar, so now is the time to go back to the drawing board and work on the fundamentals of the sport. DSD: Now with the SOPs gradually coming out for the resumption of sport you will probably have to coordinate between coaches and shooters to come up with a road-map for Tokyo 2021. Ronak Pandit: Yes, we've had at least six meetings with the federation, the Sports Authority of India, coaches and players on the road-map for the future. I think this is an unprecedented crisis and there is a lot of uncertainty with regard to the coronavirus. No one really knows when we will be able to return to our normal lives and there is also a possibility of a second wave in the near future. So we have prepared three contingency plans in place and have been coordinating regularly with the various stakeholders of the game. We have also ensured that top shooters have access to the necessary equipment which allows them to set up temporary ranges at home. Hence the shooters will be able to keep in touch with the game on some level and they will find it easier to return to their peak when things open up. DSD: I'm going to ask you a direct question, is it possible for Indian shooting to regain momentum for the Olympics. We were looking at a possible medal haul of around 3-5 medals had the Olympics been held as per schedule, so how big a hit is this break for Indian shooting? Ronak Pandit: I think it's a huge setback, not only for Indian shooting but for everyone else in the world. It's like working on a very important presentation on your laptop and suddenly it crashes. Then you have no option but to start from scratch. However I believe that we have dealt with the situation in the best possible way, we are relatively better prepared than most other countries. As Indians, we are used to constantly adapting to the changing circumstances.we have never achieved anything the easy way and that has taught us to always find a solution to the problem. We have been in constant communication with the shooters, so they know what is in the pipeline. We have been conducting weekly training sessions with them and tracking their scores in some of the online competitions. We haven't created a very hectic schedule, as it is also important for them to get some downtime. The tables have completely turned because earlier shooters used to complain about their lack of rest because of the gruelling schedule, but now there is no competition on the cards. It is difficult for shooters to keep their motivation levels high with nothing to work towards, but overall they have dealt well with the crisis. DSD: Both Manavjit Sandhu and Abhinav Bindra seemed to suggest that it is the more experienced and older athletes who will negotiate this period better. Most of the Indian Olympic quota holders are all first-timers. Is that a big worry and what is the way around it? Ronak Pandit: I would actually look at it differently. The experienced shooters are used to a certain calendar every year, their body and mind are tuned to that annual schedule which has been built over many years, so this sudden break will affect them to a great extent. Whereas the younger generation, who has been competing internationally for just two years, is untroubled. This break doesn't really matter to them because they just want to compete and win medals at the highest level, whether that be tomorrow or next year. Our young shooters have dominated the sport recently and they are fearless. They are full of energy and just desperate to be at the Olympics. So their enthusiasm is their biggest advantage. Their hunger has not been diminished by this break and they are still headed in the right direction. The theory might suggest that the older ones will deal with this crisis better, but personally I fell the young shooters are better equipped to overcome this roadblock. DSD: Just from experience Ronak, shooting should be a sport that is easy to resume as it is highly individualised while social distancing is also easy to enforce. Ronak Pandit: Absolutely, I don't see any major reason not to resume training or competitions anytime soon. Shooters can occupy alternate lanes at ranges and the intervals between relays can be increased so that one batch has enough time to vacate the premises before the next group arrives. The number of participants in an event will have to be reduced and if some other policy tweaks are made, then we should be back competing very soon. There is no contact and no sharing of equipment, so the risk of transmission is minimal in the sport. DSD: Is it time for tough decisions in your sport. Does the NRAI need to prioritise the Olympic team for the next 6 months and forget about everyone else till a vaccine is found? It's not ideal but you can't have 10,000 people at nationals. Ronak Pandit: I think we have to be more far-sighted in our planning. We cannot just prepare the 15 shooters for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and ignore the other shooting talent in the country. The quota places for the next Olympics will be up for grabs just 6 months after the Tokyo Games and we must have a plan that ensures we succeed in the long term and not just at the 2021 games. Obviously we don't need to focus on 10,000 shooters but I also see no reason to only use our resources for the development of 15 shooters. I think we can easily work with about the top 150 shooters at this point. If the lockdown continues into June and July, we have identified shooting ranges which are near to the shooters' respective houses all over the country and made special provisions for them to train. We have also made it possible for the 10-metre event shooters to set up a facility at their houses. If we work with a larger pool of shooters, it will considerably improve our chances of maintaining high levels of performance in the future. DSD: Will the logistics be the bigger problem now, getting everyone together, interaction with coaches. A big takeaway from Rio debacle was the need to constantly monitor athletes. Does it make sense to organise isolated camps for shooters from different events? Ronak Pandit: Right now the interaction between the shooters and coaches is limited to online video conferences. Once movement is allowed, we will have to mobilise the shooters at one location for training. We are trying to decide on the venue of these camps because it will also take time for us to figure out the logistics. I don't think it will be possible for us to hold separate camps for different events because the coaches have to supervise shooters at all times, otherwise there is no point of holding the camp. We are hoping to get these camps up and running in early August. DSD: As someone mandated to keep tabs on high performance, how do you ensure shooters maintain their competitive edge without any competition... Ronak Pandit: If we are able to start our training camps in August, then I feel we will have enough time to get our shooters ready for the Olympics. At the moment, we are only focussing on the Olympics and not any other competition, so we don't need our shooters to reach their peak in say, December. Once we get back to the camps, the coaches will decide which shooters will begin competition preparation after a certain point of time, it is a long process. It will take time for the players to get back in the zone. I think it will be better for shooters to work on the basics in the first few months, when some minor goal-oriented training can take place. I have no doubt in my mind that if we start training in august, then by December our shooters will be close to their peak. DSD: Now NRAI had a selection policy in place. But can rankings of 2018 be taken to select a team for an event in 2021? Should there not be a revised policy now? Ronak Pandit: I think the existing policy got us some great results and we definitely had the best possible team for the original 2020 Olympics. However, after the postponement, we do need to take another look at the criteria to ensure the best team goes to the 2021 games. It is also a moral question, because the 15 shooters that were in line to compete at the 2020 games, had proven themselves at the highest level over the last few years and thoroughly deserved their spot in the team. So in that sense, it is difficult to question their merit. But the fact is that a lot can change in the space of 6 months to a year. We have seen so many shooters excel at major events in a particular year and then suffer a meltdown the next year. I think that the original 15 shooters should be given all the support they need by the NRAI, but the federation should also keep an eye on the performance of the other shooters. That is the suggestion I have given to the NRAI. If those 15 shooters are still the best in January or February 2021, then that should be the final team. At the end of the day, the best shooters should represent India at the Olympics. DSD: Shooting is in a great position because more than 95 per cent of the Olympic berths have been secured. Considering social distancing and quarantine regulations, should the field be limited at events next year leading up to the Olympics. Maybe 2 member teams per event like we see at the Commonwealth Games. Ronak Pandit: Absolutely. I believe only those shooters who have qualified for the Olympics should be allowed to participate in the events leading up to the games. There will be some major changes that will need to take place in the 2021 events as well for competitions to take place. We might have to conduct competitions simultaneously in safe zones and ISSF observers could monitor the scores at these events to ensure fair-play. Overall, we must adapt to the circumstances otherwise I see 2021 also being a washout year for shooting.

Ronak Pandit: Tokyo postponement should not stop planning for 2024 Olympics

Former coach of the Indian hockey team, who was also a member of Australia hockey team at the 1984 Olympics, Michael Nobbs, in an exclusive conversation with WION's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about a lot of things ranging from life in lockdown in Sydney, how Australia can resume sports, matches behind closed doors, Tokyo Olympics, Indian hockey team and its medal prospects at the Games, and much more.

Digvijay Singh Deo:&nbsp;The man I am speaking to can be introduced in many ways, as a hockey olympian, a former coach of the Indian hockey team, husband of an Olympic gold medalist and father of a soon to be Olympian. Those are many hats you wear Michael Nobbs but importantly all of them are related to hockey…

Michael Nobbs: Yes, it's the game I love. In fact, it's the game that we all love.

DSD: How are you Michael, good to know that the lockdown has been gradually eased in Sydney.

Michael Nobbs: It was tough initially because everyone was scared and had no idea how to deal with such an unprecedented crisis. But gradually we learnt how to cope with it and now we see that things are opening up. The great thing is that we here in Australia are approaching stage two of the three-step reopening plan of the government. This means we can have ten people at gatherings, go out and exercise and return to a somewhat normal life.

DSD: I am told that you Michael have been starting hockey coaching again with kids, you haven’t waited long have you.

Michael Nobbs: I love coaching children, it reminds me of why I fell in love with the game. This is such a great time to play the game because normally we are always preparing for some tournament or practising with some strategies in mind, but during this period we can just play for the love of the game. It's a unique opportunity to have fun.

DSD: How have you managed Michael, you are generally any outdoor person and can't imagine you cooped up all alone in your place in Sydney...

Michael Nobbs: I didn't cope with it well to be completely honest. Fortunately, I was able to keep in touch with my friends from all around the world through social media. I kept looking ahead and planning for what I would do when the lockdown measures are relaxed and luckily that time is already here. So I'm just delighted that I can be outdoors again.

DSD: Each country has dealt with the pandemic in different ways and in Australia, each state or province too has had different ways of tackling the virus. But the fact that the death toll has been kept near the hundred marks is exemplary work by the health services.

Michael Nobbs: Yes, the people in Australia have followed all the coronavirus guidelines of the government, including practising social distancing. People in Australia have been very careful in ensuring that the disease does not spread rapidly. The health authorities have also been very proactive and the containment measures have been very effective. There is a phone app as well which will be available soon which will allow people to stay away from danger zones.

DSD: How soon do you think Australia will return to normalcy, given that there hasn't been a stark rise in the number of cases in the past few weeks.

Michael Nobbs: I don't think things will get back to normal for a long time, till there's a vaccine available. I think domestic competitions in Australia will start to get underway in July. However, in terms of international competitions, I don't see the travel restrictions being lifted which means we won't see any action this year.

DSD: Lots of debate in the world of cricket about the T20 World Cup&nbsp;in Australia. Do you think that event can go off without a hitch or they will have to play without spectators?

Michael Nobbs: I think the T20 World Cup will go ahead, but we have to ensure that everyone involved in the competition is virus-free. So the necessary tests have to take place. Right now, there aren't a lot of cases in Australia, but it just takes the one person to cause an outbreak. I think by the time the competition comes around in October, I hope will be able to hold matches with spectators.

DSD: Maybe we won't have a full MCG&nbsp;people will be scattered all over the stadium.

Michael Nobbs: Yes I think that is a possibility. We can have a distance between two families in the stadium, which means a stadium like the MCG would have about 30 to 40,000 spectators. That is enough to create an atmosphere. People will have to obey social distancing rules.

DSD: World sport has been tossed around violently by this pandemic but signs that sport is leading the fightback saying we won't be cowed down. Bundesliga starts behind closed doors on 16th May.could be a significant moment, if they go off without a hitch you could see a domino effect.

Michael Nobbs: I think the German Bundesliga is a very good test case for the world. It gives us an idea of the pros and cons of starting a major sporting competition. I think after 2-3 weeks of the Bundesliga, we will see other sports and competitions base their decisions on how the league is functioning in Germany.

DSD: Should sport resume behind closed doors. Some argue that the people need the distraction, sceptics say this is all about the money stuck in broadcast rights, the purists say how can you play team sport without the atmosphere

Michael Nobbs: Everyone loves a large crowd, there is no doubt about that. But when we were kids we used to play for the sheer love of the game, with absolutely no one watching. I realise there is a lot of money in sport, it is a huge business. The atmospherics are also a major part of top-level sport, so it does feel strange to play without spectators.

DSD: How has Australian sport coped through all of this?

Michael Nobbs: All sports are bleeding money at this point. Every domestic club relies on weekly action to sustain the salary of the employees, whether it be the players or the non-playing staff. It is going to be a tough road back for all these teams. We cannot have a full season because then one sport will overlap with the season of the other. Every sport is trying to figure out a way to survive.

DSD: In fact, if we go back to march the Australian Olympic Committee sort of put pressure on the IOC saying it would not send a team to the 2020 Olympics..that was a pretty brave call when the Olympic Committee has an IOC vice president in it.

Michael Nobbs: It is the ultimate goal of an athlete to compete at the Olympic games. Athletes, especially in individual sports, plan their preparation for four years in a way that they peak during this event, so it is very tough on them to postpone the games. But I don't think the IOC had any other choice. The health and safety of society have to be the top priority, and the postponement decision was taken keeping that in mind.

DSD: Now Michael Nobbs daughter Kaitlin was set to follow in the footsteps of her father and mother and become an olympian. Personally, how disappointing was it for the family?

Michael Nobbs: It was disappointing for us, but I was telling my daughter the other day that she is just 22 and there are bound to be more opportunities for her to compete at the Olympics if she keeps working hard. She was voted the &nbsp;Australian player of the year in 2019, so there's a good chance she retains her place in the squad. I'm pretty confident she will do well since she has got some of my genes.

DSD: I remember her from the time you were out coaching here Michael, that shy young girl has now become the 2019 Australian player of the year. What a dramatic evolution.

Michael Nobbs: We're really proud of her, not just of what she has achieved as a hockey player, but the way she conducts herself off the pitch. When you have a daughter, they tend to be like their mothers, very strong-willed. So it was tough at times when she was growing up, but I could not be more proud of the person she has become. I can't wait to see what she does in the future.

DSD: I don’t want to play spoilsport here Michael but question marks remain over the Tokyo games. How does that uncertainty affect probable first-time Olympians like your daughter?

Michael Nobbs: Kaitlin is also doing a nursing degree while pursuing her hockey career, so she is keeping herself busy. The dates of the Olympic games are out of her control, so there's no point dwelling on that. She loves to play the game and today she was trying to find a hockey field in her neighbourhood to just hit a few balls around. That just shows you the passion she has for the sport. She understands that she can only work on herself and the Olympics are out of her control.

DSD: Australia is a powerhouse when it comes to the Olympics.how much does an athlete risk currently in this climate, let's take three sports.hockey, swimming and athletics.not possible to follow social distancing in these sports so what is the option.

Michael Nobbs: I think training has already started in groups of ten in some sports while practising social distancing. I think it all comes down to the frequency of testing and the number of tests we can conduct in a short span of time. If you can test 40-50 people in about 3 or 4 hours, then those people can be deemed safe to participate in a particular event and it can go ahead. I realise the logistics of this can be a bit of a problem, but I don't see many other alternatives. Testing is essential for us to return to the sport in a safe environment.

DSD: As it stands most of the people I have spoken to admit that the 2020 international season is a write-off. We don’t know if we have a vaccine by the end of the year so you are probably looking at not a lot of competition before the 2021 games. Will that throw up a very very different Olympic podium from the ones we were expecting.

Michael Nobbs: It's definitely going to be interesting. If you can't have international competitions, it makes the Olympics less competitive. You need to be able to constantly be competing against good teams to be in the best shape possible for the Olympics, and I don't think that will be possible. So I agree, I think the 2021 games will be unpredictable. I already think there won't be any international competitions taking place in 2020. A competition like the pro league struggles for money during the best of times and now without any crowds or restart date in sight, there could be real problems for the FIH.&nbsp;I know a lot of teams were relying on the Pro League for their Olympic preparation so I don't know how teams will now play against international teams ahead of the Olympics.

DSD: How will hockey react to this period of no training. You had a nice and explosive start to the Olympic year with the Pro League matches. The momentum is gone now and probably peak fitness. You can't train in gyms and build up match fitness, can you?

Michael Nobbs: I think it's going to take six-nine months. It's going to be a huge task to get teams back to match fitness from this point. I don't think there is much money as well with the sporting authorities to conduct competitions because all the economies have tanked. It's going to be enormously difficult with the travel restrictions to hold international matches and I'm not sure how teams will prepare.

DSD: Considering the travel restrictions and quarantine measures in place, will the European teams have a slight advantage considering they can probably play against each other by September or October considering how easy it is to travel inside the eurozone.

Michael Nobbs: Yes I feel the Europeans will have a huge advantage. Us Australians have to travel to India to have high-level competition, which is obviously not possible at this point. We do have the possibility of playing New Zealand, but that will also become pointless after a few matches. The top 3-4 European teams can compete with each other regularly and it will certainly be a boon for them ahead of the Olympics. However, I still feel the Australian team will be well prepared for the games given the quality of the team.

DSD: How badly do you think has this postponement hit India. Lots of people were putting them down as medal contenders after a bright start to the Pro League.

Michael Nobbs: I think the team that we see now is a result of the programme that dr Narinder Batra put in place ten years ago. I remember when I was the coach of the Indian team, I felt that because of the system that was put in place, the team would be ready to compete for a medal at the 2020 Olympics. That's exactly how it has turned out, we see a team which plays outstanding hockey and can beat any team in the world on their day. India is a very young team and the players are going to find it difficult to maintain their levels without any competition. I doubt it will be possible for the federation to make any other top team travel to India. I'm not even sure if India can face Pakistan at the moment, even if they can, India are a much superior team to Pakistan currently in every aspect of the game. I used to love watching Pakistan play, but it is sad what has happened to their team. India-Pakistan games used to be major events some time ago, but now they are not nearly as competitive. However, it still might be a good idea for the two teams to start playing each other again because some competition is better than no competition.

DSD: We have had a procession of coaches Michael..it has no means been an easy road and it starts with you getting the team to London 2012. How have they evolved and is it because of the core mostly remaining the same, the likes of Sreejesh, Manpreet Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh are still around...

Michael Nobbs: That was a conscious decision I made when I was in charge, I was confident that Manpreet Singh would be Olympic captain one day. In my opinion, one has to play 100-200 games for the country to become a top international player. When I was in charge, the senior players could dribble the ball like magicians, but their fundamentals were very poor and that's where we lost out to the European teams. So I made it a point, along with Harendra Singh, to ensure that the junior players who were coming in, had the fundamentals of the game instilled in them. Harendra also did a fantastic job with the players and now we see a team which has good chemistry, strong basics and a very good coach. I'm delighted to see Manpreet Singh do so well for the team. He has been an outstanding captain and led by example from the first time I met him ten years ago.

Former coach of the Indian hockey team, who was also a member of Australia hockey team at the 1984 Olympics, Michael Nobbs, in an exclusive conversation with WION's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about a lot of things ranging from life in lockdown in Sydney, how Australia can resume sports, matches behind closed doors, Tokyo Olympics, Indian hockey team and its medal prospects at the Games, and much more.

Former coach of the Indian hockey team, who was also a member of Australia hockey team at the 1984 Olympics, Michael Nobbs, in an exclusive conversation with WION's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about a lot of things ranging from life in lockdown in Sydney, how Australia can resume sports, matches behind closed doors, Tokyo Olympics, Indian hockey team and its medal prospects at the Games, and much more. Digvijay Singh Deo: The man I am speaking to can be introduced in many ways, as a hockey olympian, a former coach of the Indian hockey team, husband of an Olympic gold medalist and father of a soon to be Olympian. Those are many hats you wear Michael Nobbs but importantly all of them are related to hockey… Michael Nobbs: Yes, it's the game I love. In fact, it's the game that we all love. DSD: How are you Michael, good to know that the lockdown has been gradually eased in Sydney. Michael Nobbs: It was tough initially because everyone was scared and had no idea how to deal with such an unprecedented crisis. But gradually we learnt how to cope with it and now we see that things are opening up. The great thing is that we here in Australia are approaching stage two of the three-step reopening plan of the government. This means we can have ten people at gatherings, go out and exercise and return to a somewhat normal life. DSD: I am told that you Michael have been starting hockey coaching again with kids, you haven’t waited long have you. Michael Nobbs: I love coaching children, it reminds me of why I fell in love with the game. This is such a great time to play the game because normally we are always preparing for some tournament or practising with some strategies in mind, but during this period we can just play for the love of the game. It's a unique opportunity to have fun. DSD: How have you managed Michael, you are generally any outdoor person and can't imagine you cooped up all alone in your place in Sydney... Michael Nobbs: I didn't cope with it well to be completely honest. Fortunately, I was able to keep in touch with my friends from all around the world through social media. I kept looking ahead and planning for what I would do when the lockdown measures are relaxed and luckily that time is already here. So I'm just delighted that I can be outdoors again. DSD: Each country has dealt with the pandemic in different ways and in Australia, each state or province too has had different ways of tackling the virus. But the fact that the death toll has been kept near the hundred marks is exemplary work by the health services. Michael Nobbs: Yes, the people in Australia have followed all the coronavirus guidelines of the government, including practising social distancing. People in Australia have been very careful in ensuring that the disease does not spread rapidly. The health authorities have also been very proactive and the containment measures have been very effective. There is a phone app as well which will be available soon which will allow people to stay away from danger zones. DSD: How soon do you think Australia will return to normalcy, given that there hasn't been a stark rise in the number of cases in the past few weeks. Michael Nobbs: I don't think things will get back to normal for a long time, till there's a vaccine available. I think domestic competitions in Australia will start to get underway in July. However, in terms of international competitions, I don't see the travel restrictions being lifted which means we won't see any action this year. DSD: Lots of debate in the world of cricket about the T20 World Cup in Australia. Do you think that event can go off without a hitch or they will have to play without spectators? Michael Nobbs: I think the T20 World Cup will go ahead, but we have to ensure that everyone involved in the competition is virus-free. So the necessary tests have to take place. Right now, there aren't a lot of cases in Australia, but it just takes the one person to cause an outbreak. I think by the time the competition comes around in October, I hope will be able to hold matches with spectators. DSD: Maybe we won't have a full MCG people will be scattered all over the stadium. Michael Nobbs: Yes I think that is a possibility. We can have a distance between two families in the stadium, which means a stadium like the MCG would have about 30 to 40,000 spectators. That is enough to create an atmosphere. People will have to obey social distancing rules. DSD: World sport has been tossed around violently by this pandemic but signs that sport is leading the fightback saying we won't be cowed down. Bundesliga starts behind closed doors on 16th May.could be a significant moment, if they go off without a hitch you could see a domino effect. Michael Nobbs: I think the German Bundesliga is a very good test case for the world. It gives us an idea of the pros and cons of starting a major sporting competition. I think after 2-3 weeks of the Bundesliga, we will see other sports and competitions base their decisions on how the league is functioning in Germany. DSD: Should sport resume behind closed doors. Some argue that the people need the distraction, sceptics say this is all about the money stuck in broadcast rights, the purists say how can you play team sport without the atmosphere Michael Nobbs: Everyone loves a large crowd, there is no doubt about that. But when we were kids we used to play for the sheer love of the game, with absolutely no one watching. I realise there is a lot of money in sport, it is a huge business. The atmospherics are also a major part of top-level sport, so it does feel strange to play without spectators. DSD: How has Australian sport coped through all of this? Michael Nobbs: All sports are bleeding money at this point. Every domestic club relies on weekly action to sustain the salary of the employees, whether it be the players or the non-playing staff. It is going to be a tough road back for all these teams. We cannot have a full season because then one sport will overlap with the season of the other. Every sport is trying to figure out a way to survive. DSD: In fact, if we go back to march the Australian Olympic Committee sort of put pressure on the IOC saying it would not send a team to the 2020 Olympics..that was a pretty brave call when the Olympic Committee has an IOC vice president in it. Michael Nobbs: It is the ultimate goal of an athlete to compete at the Olympic games. Athletes, especially in individual sports, plan their preparation for four years in a way that they peak during this event, so it is very tough on them to postpone the games. But I don't think the IOC had any other choice. The health and safety of society have to be the top priority, and the postponement decision was taken keeping that in mind. DSD: Now Michael Nobbs daughter Kaitlin was set to follow in the footsteps of her father and mother and become an olympian. Personally, how disappointing was it for the family? Michael Nobbs: It was disappointing for us, but I was telling my daughter the other day that she is just 22 and there are bound to be more opportunities for her to compete at the Olympics if she keeps working hard. She was voted the Australian player of the year in 2019, so there's a good chance she retains her place in the squad. I'm pretty confident she will do well since she has got some of my genes. DSD: I remember her from the time you were out coaching here Michael, that shy young girl has now become the 2019 Australian player of the year. What a dramatic evolution. Michael Nobbs: We're really proud of her, not just of what she has achieved as a hockey player, but the way she conducts herself off the pitch. When you have a daughter, they tend to be like their mothers, very strong-willed. So it was tough at times when she was growing up, but I could not be more proud of the person she has become. I can't wait to see what she does in the future. DSD: I don’t want to play spoilsport here Michael but question marks remain over the Tokyo games. How does that uncertainty affect probable first-time Olympians like your daughter? Michael Nobbs: Kaitlin is also doing a nursing degree while pursuing her hockey career, so she is keeping herself busy. The dates of the Olympic games are out of her control, so there's no point dwelling on that. She loves to play the game and today she was trying to find a hockey field in her neighbourhood to just hit a few balls around. That just shows you the passion she has for the sport. She understands that she can only work on herself and the Olympics are out of her control. DSD: Australia is a powerhouse when it comes to the Olympics.how much does an athlete risk currently in this climate, let's take three sports.hockey, swimming and athletics.not possible to follow social distancing in these sports so what is the option. Michael Nobbs: I think training has already started in groups of ten in some sports while practising social distancing. I think it all comes down to the frequency of testing and the number of tests we can conduct in a short span of time. If you can test 40-50 people in about 3 or 4 hours, then those people can be deemed safe to participate in a particular event and it can go ahead. I realise the logistics of this can be a bit of a problem, but I don't see many other alternatives. Testing is essential for us to return to the sport in a safe environment. DSD: As it stands most of the people I have spoken to admit that the 2020 international season is a write-off. We don’t know if we have a vaccine by the end of the year so you are probably looking at not a lot of competition before the 2021 games. Will that throw up a very very different Olympic podium from the ones we were expecting. Michael Nobbs: It's definitely going to be interesting. If you can't have international competitions, it makes the Olympics less competitive. You need to be able to constantly be competing against good teams to be in the best shape possible for the Olympics, and I don't think that will be possible. So I agree, I think the 2021 games will be unpredictable. I already think there won't be any international competitions taking place in 2020. A competition like the pro league struggles for money during the best of times and now without any crowds or restart date in sight, there could be real problems for the FIH. I know a lot of teams were relying on the Pro League for their Olympic preparation so I don't know how teams will now play against international teams ahead of the Olympics. DSD: How will hockey react to this period of no training. You had a nice and explosive start to the Olympic year with the Pro League matches. The momentum is gone now and probably peak fitness. You can't train in gyms and build up match fitness, can you? Michael Nobbs: I think it's going to take six-nine months. It's going to be a huge task to get teams back to match fitness from this point. I don't think there is much money as well with the sporting authorities to conduct competitions because all the economies have tanked. It's going to be enormously difficult with the travel restrictions to hold international matches and I'm not sure how teams will prepare. DSD: Considering the travel restrictions and quarantine measures in place, will the European teams have a slight advantage considering they can probably play against each other by September or October considering how easy it is to travel inside the eurozone. Michael Nobbs: Yes I feel the Europeans will have a huge advantage. Us Australians have to travel to India to have high-level competition, which is obviously not possible at this point. We do have the possibility of playing New Zealand, but that will also become pointless after a few matches. The top 3-4 European teams can compete with each other regularly and it will certainly be a boon for them ahead of the Olympics. However, I still feel the Australian team will be well prepared for the games given the quality of the team. DSD: How badly do you think has this postponement hit India. Lots of people were putting them down as medal contenders after a bright start to the Pro League. Michael Nobbs: I think the team that we see now is a result of the programme that dr Narinder Batra put in place ten years ago. I remember when I was the coach of the Indian team, I felt that because of the system that was put in place, the team would be ready to compete for a medal at the 2020 Olympics. That's exactly how it has turned out, we see a team which plays outstanding hockey and can beat any team in the world on their day. India is a very young team and the players are going to find it difficult to maintain their levels without any competition. I doubt it will be possible for the federation to make any other top team travel to India. I'm not even sure if India can face Pakistan at the moment, even if they can, India are a much superior team to Pakistan currently in every aspect of the game. I used to love watching Pakistan play, but it is sad what has happened to their team. India-Pakistan games used to be major events some time ago, but now they are not nearly as competitive. However, it still might be a good idea for the two teams to start playing each other again because some competition is better than no competition. DSD: We have had a procession of coaches Michael..it has no means been an easy road and it starts with you getting the team to London 2012. How have they evolved and is it because of the core mostly remaining the same, the likes of Sreejesh, Manpreet Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh are still around... Michael Nobbs: That was a conscious decision I made when I was in charge, I was confident that Manpreet Singh would be Olympic captain one day. In my opinion, one has to play 100-200 games for the country to become a top international player. When I was in charge, the senior players could dribble the ball like magicians, but their fundamentals were very poor and that's where we lost out to the European teams. So I made it a point, along with Harendra Singh, to ensure that the junior players who were coming in, had the fundamentals of the game instilled in them. Harendra also did a fantastic job with the players and now we see a team which has good chemistry, strong basics and a very good coach. I'm delighted to see Manpreet Singh do so well for the team. He has been an outstanding captain and led by example from the first time I met him ten years ago.

Michael Nobbs: Effective social distancing has helped Australia limit the fatalities

The postponement of the Tokyo Olympics came as a blow to fans of Indian hockey with the men's team starting the year brightly in the FIH pro league. The wait for an Olympic medal in hockey has been going on since 1980 but goalkeeper and former captain PR Sreejesh believes the initial disappointment has now been replaced by the belief that a further 15 months can help the team emerge as genuine medal contenders at the Tokyo games.

WION exclusive conversation with PR Sreejesh | Indian Hockey Goalkeeper | Lockdown

Tokyo 2020 officials are looking at ways to scale back next year's postponed Olympics, the city's governor said Thursday, amid reports the opening ceremony could be streamlined and spectator numbers cut.

Yuriko Koike told reporters that organisers were weighing up what could be "rationalised and simplified" as costs spiral for holding the first postponed Games in history.

The International Olympic Committee announced in March the Games would be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic that has killed hundreds of thousands and brought international travel to a virtual halt.

The Games are now due to open on July 23, 2021, but organisers face the unprecedented headache of rearranging the event, which requires a costly rejigging of everything from venues to transport.

Local media said streamlining plans could involve cutting the number of spectators attending indoor competitions and reducing participation in the opening and closing ceremonies.

The Yomiuri Shimbun daily quoted an unnamed source as saying that everyone including athletes, officials and spectators would be required to take a test for the virus.

"The top priority is to avoid the worst scenario of cancelling the Games," an unnamed government source told the daily.

Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya was due to brief the media later Thursday.

IOC chief Thomas Bach said last month that 2021 was the "last option" for holding the Tokyo Games, stressing that postponement cannot go on forever.

He declined to say whether a vaccine was a prerequisite for going ahead with the Olympics, but was lukewarm on the idea of holding them behind closed doors.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said it would be "difficult" to hold the postponed Tokyo Olympics if the coronavirus pandemic is not contained.

And Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori has said the Olympics would have to be cancelled if the coronavirus pandemic isn't brought under control by next year.

Tokyo 2020 officials are looking at ways to scale back next year's postponed Olympics, the city's governor said Thursday, amid reports the opening ceremony could be streamlined and spectator numbers cut.

Tokyo 2020 officials are looking at ways to scale back next year's postponed Olympics, the city's governor said Thursday, amid reports the opening ceremony could be streamlined and spectator numbers cut. Yuriko Koike told reporters that organisers were weighing up what could be "rationalised and simplified" as costs spiral for holding the first postponed Games in history. The International Olympic Committee announced in March the Games would be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic that has killed hundreds of thousands and brought international travel to a virtual halt. The Games are now due to open on July 23, 2021, but organisers face the unprecedented headache of rearranging the event, which requires a costly rejigging of everything from venues to transport. Local media said streamlining plans could involve cutting the number of spectators attending indoor competitions and reducing participation in the opening and closing ceremonies. The Yomiuri Shimbun daily quoted an unnamed source as saying that everyone including athletes, officials and spectators would be required to take a test for the virus. "The top priority is to avoid the worst scenario of cancelling the Games," an unnamed government source told the daily. Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya was due to brief the media later Thursday. IOC chief Thomas Bach said last month that 2021 was the "last option" for holding the Tokyo Games, stressing that postponement cannot go on forever. He declined to say whether a vaccine was a prerequisite for going ahead with the Olympics, but was lukewarm on the idea of holding them behind closed doors. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said it would be "difficult" to hold the postponed Tokyo Olympics if the coronavirus pandemic is not contained. And Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori has said the Olympics would have to be cancelled if the coronavirus pandemic isn't brought under control by next year.

Tokyo weighs scaled-back Olympics, says governor

Olympic chief Thomas Bach on Wednesday held a series of talks with International Olympic Committee members on the potential consequences of the coronavirus pandemic that has seen the Tokyo Games pushed back a year to 2021, sources said.

Bach was to address the 100 IOC members in three different sessions decided by language and local time zone.

Bach's aim is to canvas the members for their view on "how to handle the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic", a source told AFP.

The IOC president wants to hear "thoughts, ideas and experiences of all members across the globe", it added.

While Bach addressed all Olympic actors on March 24 when announcing the postponement of the Tokyo Games, it is the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak that he has specifically consulted IOC members.

Bach was backed up by Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi, IOC sports director Kit McConnell, IOC director general Christophe De Kepper and chief operating officer Lana Haddad.

The IOC's medical and scientific director, Richard Budgett, also took to the floor to discuss "the issue of a vaccine", according to a second source.

Bach warned last week that 2021 was the "last option" for holding the delayed Tokyo Games, stressing that postponement cannot go on forever.

He said he backed Japan's stance that the Games will have to be cancelled if the coronavirus pandemic isn't under control by next year.

The German wouldn't say, however, whether a vaccine was a prerequisite for going ahead with the Olympics, but was lukewarm on the idea of holding them without fans.

In March, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were postponed to July 23, 2021 over the coronavirus, which has killed hundreds of thousands around the world and halted international sport and travel. It was the first peacetime postponement of the Olympics.

The IOC has already set aside $800 million to help organisers and sports federations meet the extra costs of a postponed Olympics.

According to the latest budget, the Games were due to cost $12.6 billion, shared between the organising committee, the government of Japan and Tokyo city.

Olympic chief Thomas Bach on Wednesday held a series of talks with International Olympic Committee members on the potential consequences of the coronavirus pandemic that has seen the Tokyo Games pushed back a year to 2021, sources said.

Olympic chief Thomas Bach on Wednesday held a series of talks with International Olympic Committee members on the potential consequences of the coronavirus pandemic that has seen the Tokyo Games pushed back a year to 2021, sources said. Bach was to address the 100 IOC members in three different sessions decided by language and local time zone. Bach's aim is to canvas the members for their view on "how to handle the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic", a source told AFP. The IOC president wants to hear "thoughts, ideas and experiences of all members across the globe", it added. While Bach addressed all Olympic actors on March 24 when announcing the postponement of the Tokyo Games, it is the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak that he has specifically consulted IOC members. Bach was backed up by Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi, IOC sports director Kit McConnell, IOC director general Christophe De Kepper and chief operating officer Lana Haddad. The IOC's medical and scientific director, Richard Budgett, also took to the floor to discuss "the issue of a vaccine", according to a second source. Bach warned last week that 2021 was the "last option" for holding the delayed Tokyo Games, stressing that postponement cannot go on forever. He said he backed Japan's stance that the Games will have to be cancelled if the coronavirus pandemic isn't under control by next year. The German wouldn't say, however, whether a vaccine was a prerequisite for going ahead with the Olympics, but was lukewarm on the idea of holding them without fans. In March, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were postponed to July 23, 2021 over the coronavirus, which has killed hundreds of thousands around the world and halted international sport and travel. It was the first peacetime postponement of the Olympics. The IOC has already set aside $800 million to help organisers and sports federations meet the extra costs of a postponed Olympics. According to the latest budget, the Games were due to cost $12.6 billion, shared between the organising committee, the government of Japan and Tokyo city.

Olympic chief Bach consults with IOC members over virus fallout

Indian badminton ace Ashwini Ponnappa believes that the Olympic qualification system in her sport should not be tampered with.

WION Exclusive with Ashwini Ponnappa Indian Badminton Player

The Olympic flame, which was lit in Greece and was on public display in the northeastern Fukushima region in Japan since last week, will be removed from display in Japan, officials confirmed on Thursday with the host of the Games bracing for a state of emergency due to COVID-19. The coronavirus pandemic had earlier forced the historic postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.&nbsp;

With COVID-19 cases climbing in Japan, the Olympic organisers have decided to shelve the Olympic flame, which arrived in Japan on March 20 for a torch relay originally scheduled to start on March 26 and conclude at the Olympics opening ceremony on July 24.&nbsp;

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"Originally we wanted to hold the public display until the end of April. But considering recent developments, we decided to stop," said a Tokyo 2020 organising committee spokesman.

Earlier, to keep the Olympic spirit alive in Japan, the organisers had decided to keep the flame in a lantern in Fukushima, where the relay was going to commence.

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The Tokyo 2020 organising committee spokesman further said that organisers have no immediate plan to keep it on public display while avoiding public gathering around the storage location.

The flame arrived in Japan amid a muted welcome in front select officials and guests after plans to invite 200 school-going kids were scrapped.

The Olympic flame, which was lit in Greece and was on public display in the northeastern Fukushima region in Japan since last week, will be removed from display in Japan, officials confirmed on Thursday with the host of the Games bracing for a state of emergency due to COVID-19.

The Olympic flame, which was lit in Greece and was on public display in the northeastern Fukushima region in Japan since last week, will be removed from display in Japan, officials confirmed on Thursday with the host of the Games bracing for a state of emergency due to COVID-19. The coronavirus pandemic had earlier forced the historic postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. With COVID-19 cases climbing in Japan, the Olympic organisers have decided to shelve the Olympic flame, which arrived in Japan on March 20 for a torch relay originally scheduled to start on March 26 and conclude at the Olympics opening ceremony on July 24. ALSO READ: Coronavirus not an opportunity for athletes to dope: WADA president "Originally we wanted to hold the public display until the end of April. But considering recent developments, we decided to stop," said a Tokyo 2020 organising committee spokesman. Earlier, to keep the Olympic spirit alive in Japan, the organisers had decided to keep the flame in a lantern in Fukushima, where the relay was going to commence. ALSO READ: As Bundesliga clubs resume training, a debate over fairness and fitness The Tokyo 2020 organising committee spokesman further said that organisers have no immediate plan to keep it on public display while avoiding public gathering around the storage location. The flame arrived in Japan amid a muted welcome in front select officials and guests after plans to invite 200 school-going kids were scrapped.

Japan ends Olympic flame display due to COVID-19 threat

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