The World Health Organization hopes the Olympics can go ahead in Japan this summer, its emergencies chief said Friday, saying many of the decisions on the format of the games can only be made at the last-minute due to evolving risks from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan on Friday extended a state of emergency in Tokyo and three other areas until the end of May to stem a surge in coronavirus cases, but Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reiterated that it was still possible to host the Tokyo Olympics this summer.
Extending the state of emergency to May 31, from May 11, will leave a margin of less than two months before the July 23 start of the Games, which were postponed last year.