The tentacles of canceling the Tokyo Olympics or postponing or staging it in empty venues would reach into every corner of the globe, much like the spreading virus that now imperils the opening ceremony on July 24.
The International Olympic Committee and local organizers say the games are on, but the clock is ticking.
The fate of the Tokyo Games touches 11,000 Olympic and 4,400 Paralympic athletes, coaches and sports officials, local organizers, the Japanese government and national morale, international broadcasters, fans, and world sponsors. Add to this hotels, airlines, and taxi drivers and even 80,000 unpaid volunteers who will miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
