Impossible to hold Olympics unless pandemic contained – Japan Prime Minister

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declares a state of emergency during a meeting of the new coronavirus task force at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, April 7, 2020. [Franck Robichon/Pool via REUTERS]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday that the Tokyo Olympics could not take place next year unless the coronavirus pandemic is contained, as the city’s governor requested an extension of Japan’s state of emergency.

The International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government last month postponed the Games until July 2021 because of the coronavirus crisis.