Japan’s Abe Reiterates Desire to Hold ‘Complete’ Olympic Games

(Bloomberg) --

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterated his desire to hold the Olympic Games in their “complete form,” and indicated he wasn’t thinking of reducing the scale of the event or holding the games behind closed doors.

Speaking in parliament, Abe said that the games must be safe and secure for both athletes and spectators, and added his goal was for the games to be held “without reducing the scale, and with the spectators also able to enjoy the feeling” of the event.

Abe’s remarks come after Tokyo 2020 Chief Executive Officer Toshiro Muto said the organizing committee hadn’t yet planned ways to ensure the safety of athletes, fans and staff. Abe has recently begun to shift his messaging on the games, in a sign that he may have accepted the spread of the coronavirus will make it necessary to postpone the event, set to start in July.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.