NEW DELHI, March 19: Scepticism is sweeping through the world but the Indian Olympic Association on Thursday backed the IOC�s assertion that the upcoming Tokyo Olympics will weather the COVID-19 pandemic and be held on time without a glitch.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Tokyo Games organisers are adamant that the Games will start on July 24 as scheduled despite the coronavirus pandemic crippling health care systems and destroying economies across the world.
�The coronavirus is creating havoc throughout the world but we are hopeful it will be contained in one or two months. It has already been controlled in China, the epicentre of the disease, and we are expecting the Olympics to be held without any hindrance on its scheduled time,� a senior IOA office-bearer told PTI.
�But having said that IOC is our parent body, we will have to abide by what the IOC decides. If the IOC says the Olympics will go on we will have to participate irrespective of any threat,� he said.
The IOC�s stance has angered many athletes, who have accused it of putting them at risk. Some officials have also expressed their apprehension.
Responding to the criticism, the world body on Wednesday conceded that there are no easy solutions for the current situation.
The pandemic, which has caused more than 8,000 deaths since being discovered in China, has wreaked havoc on Olympic preparations of athletes, including those from India. Several qualifiers have been suspended and training trips abroad are off the table thanks to COVID-19 travel restrictions. � PTI
