Tokyo 2020 Olympic games was postponed till the later periods of the year because of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic but a new report from the President of the organizing committee has warned that the event might be canceled in case the pandemic never ends.

The Olympic Games won’t be the only event being postponed or cancelled this year as we’ve seen numerous sporting events around the world being put to a pause while major tech events were held online. Even Microsoft made it known earlier that throughout the year, it won’t be holding any physical event but virtual. The WrestleMania 36 was also held behind closed doors with no spectators allowed in.

The event was rescheduled to be opened by July 23rd 2021 but in an interview with a Japanese sports daily which was published on Tuesday said medical experts doubted whether the pandemic can be sufficiently contained by next year to hold an event that will be drawing millions of spectators all over the globe.

According to Yoshiro Mori, Tokyo 2020 president made an explicit comment about the event when asked by Nikkan Sports daily whether the event can be rescheduled till the year 2022 if the pandemic still remains a threat by the year 2021. His reply was “No.”

“In that case, it’s cancelled,” Mori said.

This will not be the first time that the Olympic Games will be cancelled as it was during the wartime. The Games President went on to compare the battle against coronavirus to “fighting an invisible enemy”.

But Mori’s recent comment will further add up to the questions about the event which was initially postponed due to heavy pressure from athletes and sports federations this past month.

The head of the Japan Medical Association expressed concerns, saying that it would be “exceedingly difficult” to hold the Games next year if a permanent treatment for the virus isn’t found.

“I would not say that they should not be held, but it would be exceedingly difficult,” Yoshitake Yokokura told reporters.

But then there is a counter-remark from the Tokyo 2020 spokesperson, Takaya who said that even medical experts advised it was too early to make judgement on such a possibility.

Mori also said the organizers of the event were considering holding a joint opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympics and Paralympics which is an effor to further cut costs.

Under the plan, the Paralympics would join the Olympic opening ceremony on July 23, and the Olympic closing ceremony would be integrated into the Paralympics closing event in September. But Mori admitted that Tokyo organisers had not yet obtained the consent of the IOC and their Paralympic counterparts on that plan.

“It’s going to be a considerable cut in costs and a big message of victory against the global crisis, but it’s not easy,” Mori said.