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

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

The first of five meetings of a three-party council set-up to aid the organisation of next year's Olympics and Paralympics was held on Friday (September 4) in Tokyo. Athletes, transportation and border control will be the focus of the next meeting later this month, with the Athletes' Village and competition venues due to be the focus of meetings in October.

It is expected that around 11,000 athletes from more than 200 nations and territories will compete at the Olympics in Tokyo.

Entry restrictions could be eased for the Games next year.

A mobile app that tracks the movements of athletes and other attendees of the Games could potentially be introduced, as well as measures regarding pre-Games training camps, rules for public transport and the necessity of an isolation period upon entry into Japan.

Spectators will be the focus of the final meeting in November.

Guidelines are expected to be published in December by the coronavirus countermeasures panel.