TOKYO OLYMPICS UPDATE

The Olympic flame will remain in Japan ahead of next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Click here for an update on the 32nd Olympiad which has been postponed from this summer to July/August 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It was agreed that the Olympic flame will stay in Japan. Humankind currently finds itself in a dark tunnel. These Olympic Games can be a light at the end of this tunnel,” said the IOC.

Over half of the athletes, including Irish boxing captain Brendan Irvine, in all sports remain qualified, explained the IOC.

“It is clear that all those athletes who have qualified for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 already remain qualified, explained the IOC.

“This is a consequence of the fact that these Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, in agreement with Japan, will remain the Games of the XXXII Olympiad. Some 57 per cent of qualification places have already been obtained.

The IOC added: “A dedicated Task Force – called “Here we go” – has been established under the umbrella of the Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission and comprises Tokyo 2020 and the IOC. Its remit is to address the long list of questions that the postponement raises.”