Coates claims Tokyo 2020 will go ahead next year with or without COVID-19

Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission chair John Coates has claimed the Olympic Games will take place next year, with or without COVID-19.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president made the declaration in an interview with Agence France-Presse.

Coates' comments come amid ongoing uncertainty over the fate of next year's Games, which were postponed earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"It will take place with or without COVID," Coates said.

"The Games will start on July 23 next year.

"The Games were going to be, their theme, the 'Reconstruction Games' after the devastation of the tsunami.

"Now very much these will be the Games that conquered COVID, the light at the end of the tunnel."

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Article written by: Michael Pavitt