Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju today said that he expects this year's Tokyo Olympics to go ahead smoothly despite fears being expressed over the fate of the Games amid the Novel Corona virus threat. In response to questions about the games on the sidelines of a workshop to sensitise Indian athletes about Japanese etiquette and culture in New Delhi, Mr Rijiju said, the virus exists in China not in Tokyo.

Mr Rijiju said, the current situation demands that nations come together to fight the crisis. Talking about India's preparations for the Olympics, he said, none of the logistical mistakes made in Rio 2016 would be allowed to repeat.

The Olympic Games are scheduled to be held in July-August this year but a senior IOC member Dick Pound has said that the event might have to be cancelled, if the deadly Corona virus outbreak is not brought under control by May. The virus, which was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has so far claimed over 2,000 lives. According to media reports, more than 180 people in Japan have contracted the virus and three have died because of it. The Tokyo organizers have repeatedly asserted that there is no threat to the Games at this point.
 
Meanwhile, International Boxing Association (AIBA) today cancelled the European leg of its continental forum in Italy, citing the Novel Corona virus outbreak in that country. The forum was scheduled to be held on Saturday in Assisi, where the Indian boxing team is currently participating in a preparatory camp for next month's Olympic qualifiers in Jordan. AIBA Interim President Dr Mohamed Moustahsane said in a statement that Italy AIBA European Forum 2020 is cancelled due to COVID-19. This decision was taken by AIBA leadership in the best interests of the delegates. The Indian boxers are scheduled to fly out of Italy on Friday. .

In an another development, Six Asian Champions League games were postponed over the Corona virus today as the Asian Football Confederation wrestles with the deadly outbreak. Four Iranian clubs were affected by the postponements, which came as the regional body announced emergency talks over the epidemic. Next month's World Cup qualifiers could also be disrupted and the women's Olympic playoffs involving China, South Korea, Vietnam and Australia will be rescheduled. The AFC General Secretary Windsor John said in a statement that days are unprecedented and  times challenging, but the AFC is working tirelessly to monitor the situation.