The second torchbearer Mizuki Noguchi, gold medalist in the women's marathon at the 2004 Athens Olympics, holds the torch after the flame lighting ceremony for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Olympia, Greece, March 12, 2020. (Xinhua/Antonis Nikolopoulos)
Tokyo 2020 organizers have promised to ensure the Olympic Torch Relay safely begins on March 26 after the torch relay for the Games on Greek soil was suspended due to concerns over the Coronavirus outbreak.
TOKYO, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo 2020 will work closely with all municipalities and related organizations in Japan to ensure the Olympic Torch Relay safely begins on March 26, the organizers said Friday after the torch relay for the Games on Greek soil was cancelled.
The Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) suspended the Greek leg of the Olympic Torch Relay on Friday, citing concerns about public gatherings amid the spread of the novel coronavirus in Greece.
The 2016 Olympic shooting gold medalist Anna Korakaki (front), the first torchbearer, presents the torch and an olive tree branch during the flame lighting ceremony for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Olympia, Greece, March 12, 2020. (Xinhua/Antonis Nikolopoulos)
"Tokyo 2020 has been informed that the Greek leg of the Olympic Torch Relay has been cancelled. However, we have been also informed that the Hellenic Olympic Committee has agreed to carry out the handover ceremony as planned on March 19th, although there will be no public in attendance. Tokyo 2020 will continue to collaborate closely with all related organizations including the IOC and the Hellenic Olympic Committee," Tokyo 2020 said in a statement.
"Tokyo 2020 will bring the Olympic Flame back to Japan, and in line with the countermeasure policy set by the national government, we will work closely with all municipalities and related organizations in Japan to ensure the Olympic Torch Relay safely begins on March 26. The IOC and Tokyo 2020 have also reconfirmed today that both parties will continue to stay in close collaboration with all relevant organizations as we prepare to deliver a safe and secure Tokyo 2020 Games opening on 24 July 2020 as planned." ■
