The IOC will begin discussions on a possible postponement of the Tokyo Olympics.

By Karolos Grohmann

ATHENS (Reuters) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) must intensify its "scenario planning" for the Tokyo 2020 Games, including the possible postponement of the event, the organization said after an emergency meeting held on Sunday.

The IOC will hold detailed discussions that will include the possibility of changing the start date from July 24 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but stressed that canceling the Games would not solve any of the problems or help anyone.

"Therefore, cancellation is not on the agenda," the IOC said in a statement, adding that discussions will be concluded in the next four weeks.

The IOC is facing growing opposition to the current Games schedule, as athletes, teams and federations call for a postponement due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Several national Olympic committees, including Brazil's, have argued that the IOC should postpone the Olympics, since the pandemic has led countries to close borders and has wreaked havoc on their preparations.

"These scenarios relate to modifications to existing operational plans for the Games on July 24, 2020, and also to changes in the start date of the Games," the IOC stated.

"The IOC... will initiate detailed discussions to finalize its assessment of the rapidly evolving global health situation and its impact on the Olympic Games, including the scenario of postponement," he stated.

"The IOC is confident that it will finalize these discussions within the next four weeks," he added.