Olympics

Japan extends virus emergency until month before Games

May 29, 2021 | 09:00

Japan's government on Friday extended a coronavirus emergency in Tokyo and other parts of the country until just a month before the Olympics, fuelling doubts about whether the Games can go ahead safely.

Olympic chief Bach consults with IOC members over COVID-19 fallout

May 28, 2020 | 15:59

LAUSANNE: Olympic chief Thomas Bach on Wednesday (May 27) held a series of talks with International Olympic Committee members on the potential consequences of the coronavirus pandemic that has seen the Tokyo Games pushed back a year to 2021, sources said.

Olympics official sees 'real problems' in holding Games in 2021

May 22, 2020 | 14:39

SYDNEY: A senior Olympics official has warned that holding the postponed Tokyo Games next year faces "real problems", with even a vaccine unlikely to stave off the threat of the coronavirus.

Tokyo begins Olympic task of reorganising Games

March 25, 2020 | 14:04

Japan on Wednesday (Mar 25) started the unprecedented task of reorganising the Tokyo Olympics after the historic decision to postpone the world's biggest sporting event due to the coronavirus pandemic that has locked down one third of the planet.

Why haven't the Tokyo Olympics been postponed already?

March 22, 2020 | 10:37

The global sporting calendar has been swept away by the coronavirus pandemic but the International Olympic Committee has insisted the Tokyo Games will go ahead in four months despite growing calls for a postponement.

Japan Olympic Committee official urges Tokyo 2020 delay

March 21, 2020 | 11:44

The Tokyo Olympics should be postponed, according to a senior member of the Japan Olympic Committee, adding her voice to a growing chorus calling for Tokyo 2020 to be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cancellation or postponement of Olympics over coronavirus 'not mentioned' at IOC meet: Bach

March 05, 2020 | 16:18

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach insisted that the nightmare scenario of either cancelling or postponing the Tokyo Olympics was not discussed at a key meeting on Wednesday (Mar 4) despite the global spread of the deadly coronavirus.

'United by Emotion': Tokyo 2020 unveils Games motto

February 18, 2020 | 09:41

Tokyo 2020 organisers on Monday (Feb 17) rolled out the motto for this year's Olympics, "United by Emotion", which they said reflected the "universal values" and "unifying power of sport".

'Olympics will go ahead': Tokyo organisers slam virus rumours

February 07, 2020 | 11:27

Tokyo 2020 Olympics organisers said Thursday (Feb 6) the Games would "go ahead as planned", slamming misinformation over the new coronavirus for triggering panic.

Tokyo 2020 unveils 15,000-seat Olympic aquatics centre

November 22, 2019 | 11:30

Tokyo 2020 organisers on Thursday (Nov 21) unveiled the US$523 million venue for swimming, diving and artistic swimming that will seat 15,000 fans for the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year.

Airbnb incurs Paris wrath over Olympics partnership

November 19, 2019 | 11:32

Airbnb became a leading partner of the Olympics in a nine-year deal announced on Monday (Nov 18) that drew strong criticism from Paris, host of the 2024 summer Games.

Paris launches works on 2024 Olympic village

November 05, 2019 | 10:26

The French government on Monday (Nov 4) launched construction on a massive project to build from scratch the village for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, a development that aims to reinvigorate the poorest area in the country.

Aussie Olympic champion hurdler Pearson retires

August 06, 2019 | 09:52

Australian Olympic hurdles champion Sally Pearson announced her shock retirement on Tuesday (Aug 6), less than 12 months from the Tokyo games, revealing that she had been battling persistent injury problems and could no longer cope.

Facing Olympic hotel shortage, Tokyo looks offshore

July 19, 2019 | 10:29

Tokyo is facing a shortage of accommodation when Olympic fans pour into the Japanese capital for next year's Games so officials are looking offshore - to moored cruise ships operating as floating hotels.

Disgraced former US Olympic chief gets US$2.4 million payoff

July 04, 2019 | 08:00

The former chief executive of the United States Olympic Committee who was severely criticised for his handling of the Larry Nassar abuse scandal received US$2.4 million in severance pay, official records revealed on Wednesday (Jul 3).