Q&A: Will the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics go ahead this summer?

The Japanese capital was plunged into a state of emergency earlier this month.

Published Jan 20, 2021

Last updated Jan 20, 2021

Barely a day goes by without renewed speculation over whether the delayed Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will take place this summer despite the global spike in coronavirus cases.

In the UK, former London 2012 head Sir Keith Mills has declared it “unlikely”, but British Olympic Association chef de mission Mark England and its chairman Sir Hugh Robertson both robustly maintain it is proceeding as planned.

Here, the PA news agency sifts through the latest developments to establish the likelihood of the Games taking place this summer – and if so, in what form.

Surely the Games can’t go ahead?

Thomas Bach File Photo — Thomas Bach is adamant the Tokyo Olympics will take place in July (Mike Egerton/PA)

Why the surge in speculation?

Virus Outbreak Japan Daily Life — Tokyo is currently under a state of emergency (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)

What measures could be put in place?

IAAF World Athletics Championships 2019 – Day Six – Khalifa International Stadium — Empty stadiums could yet be a feature of the Tokyo Olympics (Mike Egerton/PA)

Will vaccinations enable the Games to go ahead?

Coronavirus – Mon Jan 18, 2021 — Officials insist a coronavirus vaccine will not be mandatory (Danny Lawson/PA)

What do the athletes think?

Matthew Pinsent takes retirement — Sir Matthew Pinsent says the Games should be delayed (Tim Ockendon/PA)