Naomi Osaka is one of the most recognizable athletes in the world and she is extremely followed in Japan. Naomi would have been almost the face of the upcoming Games in Tokyo, but there are concerns that they will not happen. The Olympics had to be played in 2020, but they were postponed by 1 year because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
According to the Times, “The Japanese government has privately concluded that the Tokyo Olympics will have to be canceled because of the coronavirus, and the focus is now on securing the Games for the city in the next available year, 2032″
The cancellation of the Olympics in Tokyo would be a huge blow for Naomi and if they are staged in 2032, she will be 34 by that time.
Still, we are waiting for an official confirmation about the Games’ cancellation, but this scenario is getting more and more plausible.
UPDATE
Eventually, the International Olympic Committee released a statement denying the fact that there is a plan to cancel the games as follows.
“We refer you to the strong and clear statement that the Japanese Government made today, saying that the report is “categorically untrue”.
Please find the statement here:
“Some news reports circulating today are claiming that the Government of Japan has privately concluded that the Tokyo Olympics will have to be cancelled because of the coronavirus.
This is categorically untrue.
“At an IOC Executive Board meeting in July last year, it was agreed that the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 would be held on July 23 this year, and the programme and venues for the Games were rescheduled accordingly. All parties involved are working together to prepare for a successful Games this summer.
“We will be implementing all possible countermeasures against COVID-19 and will continue to work closely with the IOC, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in our preparations for holding a safe and secure Games this summer.”
Together with its Japanese partners and friends, the IOC is fully concentrated on and committed to the successful delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 this year.”
Naomi Osaka in 2021
Currently the world no.3, Osaka played her last match on the 12th of September 2020 when she beat Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open to win her 6th career title.
