Olympic Tokyo 2021: Is It A Wise Choice?

Japan has had relatively low case numbers, but a new wave of infections began in April.

As of 21 July, there were 848,222 confirmed cases and 15,062 deaths (compared with 5.5 million cases and 128,800 deaths in the UK).

Japan only began vaccinating in February and only 22% of its population of about 126 million is fully vaccinated.

In Tokyo and Osaka, the two cities hit hardest by the recent surge, authorities hope over-65s will be fully vaccinated end of July.

Why were the games not cancelled?

The contract between the IOC and the host city Tokyo suggests only the IOC can cancel the event.

The IOC is thought to make around 70% of its money from broadcast rights, and 18% from sponsorship.

IOC president Thomas Bach said the thought of rescheduling the competition is really headache. He insisted the Games must go ahead "to give hope" for the future.

The head of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also backed the competition, arguing it could show what can be done with the correct Covid safeguards.

But the head of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee Toshiro Muto has not ruled out cancelling the Olympic Games even at this last stage. He said he would keep an eye on infection numbers and hold "discussions" if necessary.

If the Tokyo organisers were to cancel the contract, the risks and losses would probably fall on the Japanese side.

The budget for Tokyo 2020 was set at $12.6bn (£8.9bn), although it's been reported the actual cost may be double that.

Will there be any spectators?

All spectators will be banned after a state of emergency was declared in Tokyo on 8 July. It will stay in place until 22 August.

Do people in Japan want the Olympics?

Several towns set to host athletes reportedly pulled out earlier in the year because of fears about Covid and extra pressure on the healthcare system.

In May, a Japanese doctors' union said it was "impossible" to hold the Games given the pandemic.

A poll in May in the leading Asahi Shimbun newspaper suggested more than 80% of the people in Japan wants The Olympic to be postponed or cancelled.