Olympics sponsors call for delay in Games to allow for more spectators

Top Japanese sponsors of the Tokyo Olympics are calling privately for the Games to be postponed for several months in an attempt to allow more spectators in.

Businesses are being affected by the value of their marketing campaigns for the big event after backing the games.

The proposal was made to organisers by some sponsors in recent weeks amid growing frustration among 47 Japanese companies that had collectively paid more than $3bn to back the Games, reported the Financial Times.

The suggestions of a last-minute delay until late September or October were made as preparations for the Games entered their final 50 days.

The Japan Olympic Committee still hasn’t made the decision on whether to allow spectators to watch the sporting events. It is set to wait until 24 June to make the call.

The Games, which are the most heavily sponsored sporting event in the world, might not even happen as 80% of the Japanese population are calling for them to be cancelled or postponed.

The Tokyo 2020 organising committee said on Friday: “All our delivery partners, including the national government, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the IOC and the IPC are fully focused on hosting the Games this summer.

“Tokyo 2020 is hoping for the earliest possible recovery for all affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to work toward the delivery of a safe and secure Games this summer.”

Japan is struggling to contain Covid-19 and its vaccine rollout is still very slow. The total number of people who have received at least one vaccination shot in Japan is just 14m, or 11% of the population.