TOKYO -- A Japanese professor of infectious disease says he is "very pessimistic" the postponed Tokyo Olympics can open in 15 months.
"You have to invite so many athletes from many, many places, which is not very compatible with this COVID-19 infection that is causing a pandemic. Japan might be able to control this disease by next summer. And I wish we could. But I don't think that will happen everywhere on earth." "If we do get a vaccine within the next year then actually I think that is realistic," she said. "The vaccine will be the game-changer -- an effective, affordable, available vaccine.Dr. Ali S. Khan, the dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska, told The Associated Press in an email that even without a vaccine it may be possible to go ahead.
IOC member John Coates, who has overseen the preparations of the Tokyo Olympics, said last week the IOC believes it has given itself "as much time as possible." But he acknowledged the possibility unprecedented changes.