Olympic torch relay cancelled in Greece
The Olympic torch will still be passed to the Tokyo Games as scheduled on March 19 in Athens
Greece’s Olympic committee said on Friday morning that it will suspend the remainder of the Olympic torch relay due to the coronavirus outbreak. On Thursday, the Olympic flame was lit in Olympia, Greece and was scheduled to pass through Sparta on Friday. However, the lighting drew large crowds, which the Greek government is looking to avoid.
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The Olympic torch was lit on Thursday at the birthplace of the Olympics in Ancient Olympia, Greece for this years Games at Tokyo. pic.twitter.com/9cJioTwlna
— Paul Antonopoulos ???? (@oulosP) March 13, 2020
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The Olympic torch will still be passed to the Tokyo Games as scheduled on March 19 in Athens.
As of now, the IOC insists that the Tokyo Games will continue.
Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, spoke at the March 3 board meeting, and he, too, said that the plan is the same as it’s always been for this summer. “We’ve made a decision. And the decision is that the Games go ahead.”
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“We remain very confident with regards to the success of these Olympic Games,” he said. “I would like to encourage all the athletes to continue their preparation.”
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