by Stephen Wade, The Associated Press
Posted Jun 4, 2021 3:51 am ADT
Last Updated Jun 4, 2021 at 3:55 am ADT
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TOKYO (AP) One of Japan’s best-known Olympians and an executive member of the Japanese Olympic Committee says Tokyo has been “cornered” into holding the games during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an outspoken editorial published Friday, Kaori Yamaguchi said the International Olympic Committee, the government and local organizers are ignoring widespread opposition to the Olympics from the Japanese public.
Depending on how the question is phrased in different polls, between 50-80% of Japanese oppose holding the Olympics.
“We have been cornered into a situation where we cannot even stop now. We are damned if we do, and damned if we do not,” Yamaguchi wrote in an editorial published by Japan’s Kyodo news agency. “The IOC also seems to think that public opinion in Japan is not important.”
A Japanese Olympic Committee board member on Friday blasted organisers of the Tokyo Games for ignoring public concerns about holding the global sporting showpiece amid a pandemic, as Japan's top medical adviser urged new steps to reduce the risk.
TOKYO (Reuters) -A Japanese Olympic Committee board member on Friday blasted organisers of the Tokyo Games for ignoring public concerns about holding the global sporting showpiece amid a pandemic, but said it was too late to cancel.