Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto admits that this summer's Games could go ahead without supporters in attendances but insists the organising committee are "unwavering" in their determination to stage the event as planned.
Six months out from the start of the delayed Olympics, the Japanese capital is currently in a state of emergency due to a sharp increase in positive cases of COVID-19. That's led to speculation that this summers Games could be in doubt, despite IOC President Thomas Bach insisting that another delay or cancellation is not on the agenda.
"We are not discussing cancellation," Muto told the AFP agency. "Holding the Games is our unwavering policy, and at this point in time we're not discussing anything other than that."
He added that the prospect of not having fans in Tokyo this summer is far from ideal but admits it could be the case.
"I don't know how possible that is, but basically, having no fans is not desirable. If we don't plan this thoroughly, we can't hold a safe and secure Olympics.
"The situation with coronavirus in Japan and around the world is very severe, so of course people are feeling anxious.
"It's precisely because we're in this situation that we need to remember the value of the Olympics, that humankind can coexist peacefully through sport.
"If we can hold a big event like the Tokyo Olympics alongside the coronavirus, the Tokyo model will become one of our legacies."
