IOC: Tokyo Olympics would be canceled if not held in 2021

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach says he understands why the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Games would have to be canceled if it cannot take place next summer, report says citing BBC. 

Local organizers have said they have no back-up plan after the event was postponed by a year because of the coronavirus crisis.

"You cannot forever employ 3,000 to 5,000 people in an organizing committee," Bach told BBC Sport. "You cannot have the athletes being in uncertainty."

In a wide-ranging interview, Bach also insisted on staging the Games behind closed doors was "not what we want", but he needs more time to consider whether that was feasible.

When asked how confident he was that the Games would go ahead, Bach said: "We have to be prepared for different scenarios. There is a clear commitment to having these games in July next year."

"At the same time, looking at the scenarios, this may require towards the organization, concerning health measures, these may need quarantine for the athletes, for part of the athletes, for other participants."