<p>The postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be cancelled if the <a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/tag/coronavirus" target="_blank">coronavirus</a> pandemic isn't brought under control by next year, the organising committee's president said in comments published Tuesday.</p>.<p>The pandemic has already forced a year-long delay of the Games, which are now scheduled to open on July 23, 2021, but Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori said no further postponement was possible.</p>.<p>In an interview with Japan's Nikkan Sports daily, Mori was categorical when asked if the Olympics could be delayed until 2022 if the pandemic remains a threat next year, replying: "No."</p>.<p>"In that case, it's cancelled," Mori said.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-india-sees-lowest-daily-growth-rate-tally-crosses-26k-concerns-mount-over-maharashtra-827545.html" target="_blank">For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>Mori said the Games had been cancelled previously only during wartime and compared the battle against coronavirus to "fighting an invisible enemy".</p>.<p>If the virus is successfully contained, "we'll hold the Olympics in peace next summer", he added. "Mankind is betting on it."</p>.<p>Under heavy pressure from athletes and sports associations, Japanese organisers and the International Olympic Committee agreed in March to a year-long postponement of the Games.</p>.<p>Organisers and Japanese officials have said the delayed Olympics will be a chance to showcase the world's triumph over the coronavirus, but questions have arisen about whether even a year's postponement is sufficient.</p>.<p>On Tuesday, the head of Japan Medical Association warned it would be "exceedingly difficult" to hold the Games next year if a vaccine had not been found.</p>.<p>"I would not say that they should not be held, but it would be exceedingly difficult," Yoshitake Yokokura told reporters at a briefing.</p>.<p>And last week a Japanese medical expert who has criticised the country's response to the coronavirus warned that he was "very pessimistic" that the postponed Olympics can be held in 2021.</p>
<p>The postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be cancelled if the <a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/tag/coronavirus" target="_blank">coronavirus</a> pandemic isn't brought under control by next year, the organising committee's president said in comments published Tuesday.</p>.<p>The pandemic has already forced a year-long delay of the Games, which are now scheduled to open on July 23, 2021, but Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori said no further postponement was possible.</p>.<p>In an interview with Japan's Nikkan Sports daily, Mori was categorical when asked if the Olympics could be delayed until 2022 if the pandemic remains a threat next year, replying: "No."</p>.<p>"In that case, it's cancelled," Mori said.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-india-sees-lowest-daily-growth-rate-tally-crosses-26k-concerns-mount-over-maharashtra-827545.html" target="_blank">For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>Mori said the Games had been cancelled previously only during wartime and compared the battle against coronavirus to "fighting an invisible enemy".</p>.<p>If the virus is successfully contained, "we'll hold the Olympics in peace next summer", he added. "Mankind is betting on it."</p>.<p>Under heavy pressure from athletes and sports associations, Japanese organisers and the International Olympic Committee agreed in March to a year-long postponement of the Games.</p>.<p>Organisers and Japanese officials have said the delayed Olympics will be a chance to showcase the world's triumph over the coronavirus, but questions have arisen about whether even a year's postponement is sufficient.</p>.<p>On Tuesday, the head of Japan Medical Association warned it would be "exceedingly difficult" to hold the Games next year if a vaccine had not been found.</p>.<p>"I would not say that they should not be held, but it would be exceedingly difficult," Yoshitake Yokokura told reporters at a briefing.</p>.<p>And last week a Japanese medical expert who has criticised the country's response to the coronavirus warned that he was "very pessimistic" that the postponed Olympics can be held in 2021.</p>