Tokyo 2020: Organisers say Games will go ahead despite Covid-19 surge
Tokyo 2020 organisers say they will be ready to host the Olympic Games - despite the city declaring a state of emergency over Covid-19.
The rescheduled Games are set to take place between 23 July and 8 August.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said there was a "sense of crisis" as he announced emergency Covid-19 plans.
Organisers said: "This declaration of emergency offers an opportunity for Tokyo 2020 to plan for a safe and secure Games this summer."
"We will proceed with the necessary preparations accordingly," they added.
Tokyo recorded 2,447 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday and the latest measures primarily target restaurants and bars, which will be asked to stop serving alcohol by 7pm and close an hour later.
Costs for the Games have increased by $2.8bn (£2.1bn) because of measures needed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
And a recent poll by national broadcaster NHK showed that the majority of the Japanese general public oppose holding the Games in 2021, favouring a further delay or outright cancellation of the event.
The International Olympic Committee said: "The IOC has full confidence in the Japanese authorities and the measures they are taking.
"Together with our Japanese partners, we continue to be fully concentrated and committed to the safe and successful delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 this summer."
Source: BBC
Trending Sports
Football: Jerry Afriyie’s screamer wins gold for Ghana in African Games
08:56Joseph Paul Amoah wins gold in Men's 200m at African Games
19:42Evans Cadman Yamoah secures gold for Ghana in high jump at African Games
09:04Ghana women's hockey team clinches gold in thrilling African Games final
18:57African Games: Mukarama’s stunner wins gold for Ghana against rivals Nigeria
07:26African Games: Nigeria dominates 4x100 relay as Ghana secures silver and bronze
09:08Nottingham Forest: Steven Reid guilty of expletive-laden abuse of referee Paul Tierney
03:40GFA secures four-nation U-16 tournament in Russia
07:36African Games: Volunteers fight officials over unpaid allowance
03:14African Games: Ghana hands over baton to Egypt
10:06