Olympic flame handed over to Japan

Despite all the rumors about the Corona virus and a possible cancellation of the Olympics, the Olympic Committee of Greece today handed over the Olympic Flame to Japan and the Tokyo organizers.

Due to the Corona crisis, a small-scale ceremony was held at Panathinaikon Stadium, the 1896 Olympic Stadium. In front of empty seats, only a few members of the HOC and representatives from Tokyo attended the handover. The flame was taken over by former swimmer Naoko Imoto, who currently lives in Greece.

"We hope that the Olympic flame will eradicate the virus," said HOC President Spyros Kapralos. The fire will now be brought to Japan by plane in a special lamp.

Yoshiro Mori, the president of the Tokyo Games Organizing Committee, did not travel to Athens because of the risk of infection. He addressed a message to the Greeks and the world of sports via video. Tokyo will be ready for the Games, he said. "On July 24, the fire will be lit in Tokyo," Mori assured.

In the meantime, the torch will be carried around the country. The Japanese organizers pointed out, however, that the event will not be attended by large numbers of spectators in order to reduce the risk of contagion. Should larger crowds form along the route, the torch relay will be canceled, as it was at its start in Greece.