Olympics chief not ruling out last-minute Tokyo 2020 cancellation

There are now 67 people affected by Covid-19 cases at the Olympics on the eve of the Games getting underway

The chief of the organising committee for the Tokyo Olympics has not ruled out a last-minute postponement amid continuing Covid-19 complications in the Japanese capital.

Rising cases have now seen 67 people become affected ahead of the first events on Wednesday and the official opening ceremony on Friday.

Toshiro Muto said: “We can’t predict what will happen with the number of coronavirus cases. So we will continue discussions if there is a spike in cases.

“We have agreed that based on the coronavirus situation, we will convene five-party talks again. At this point, the coronavirus cases may rise or fall, so we will think about what we should do when the situation arises.”

The Games have already been delayed by a year due to the pandemic, and will take place without spectators.

More follows.