Tokyo Olympics

Abe added the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would have the final decision whether Tokyo 2020 goes ahead.

"We will overcome the spread of the infection and host the Olympics without problem, as planned," Abe said.

Japan has had more than 1,400 cases and 28 deaths resulting from coronavirus.

The Tokyo Games is expected to cost about 1.35 trillion yen (£10.26bn), organisers said in December.

“Neither the word cancellation nor the word postponement was even mentioned,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach told a news conference today about the second day of executive board meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Bach sought to project calm assurance after holding a conference call with local organisers. In Tokyo, officials then briefed local media, some of whom wore protective masks.

Asked how he could be so confident the July 24-August 9 Olympics will go ahead as scheduled, Bach replied: “Because we talk to the experts.”

Seiko Hashimoto's response to a question in the upper house of parliament implies the Olympics could be held later in the year and would not have to start on July 24 as planned. The Paralympics open on August 25.

The Tokyo Olympics are being threatened by a fast-spreading virus that has been blamed for 12 deaths in Japan and has shut down most schools, sports competitions and Olympic-related events in the country. The virus that started in China has been detected in at least 70 countries, with 90,000 cases and 3,100 deaths reported.

This was revealed by Team Fiji Chef De Mission Patrick Bower.

Fijivillage reported Bower saying that according to reports from Athletics Fiji, Tabakaucoro is happy to participate and is making every effort to qualify as the top athlete from Fiji.

Tabakaucoro decided not to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics because he did not rightfully qualify.

FASANOC CEO Lorraine Mar says they have only one universality (wildcard) spot in athletics and Tabakaucoro will have to overcome tough competition from Eugene Vollmer to get that spot in case he does not qualify on merit.

Over the past weeks, Mr. Leilua had been striving for this spot and he has made Samoa proud of his performance and efforts.

The 26-years-old earned his place in Team Samoa at the Oceania Laser Championships in Melbourne last weekend.

In an interview with Loop Samoa correspondent Talaia Mika, Mr. Leilua said he aims to go forward in dominating that spot at the 2020 ICLA Standard World laser championships in Melbourne.

Cairns came fourth in her K1 (one-person kayak) 500 metre heat Thursday.

Similarly, Tuva'a Clifton earned the quota place for Samoa after coming third in his K1 200 metre heat Saturday.

A fifth-placed finish in the semifinal put Clifton in the overall B Final, where he came third.

Cairns missed out on the K1 500 metre final after coming eighth in her semifinal Sunday.

She also ended up placed ninth in the K1 200 metre B final, and competed with sister Bridget Cairns in the C2 (two person canoe) 500 metre event.

Alex Rose from Northern Michigan says the first part of his journey began with a small crest he designed that includes a Celtic eternity knot that represents his mother.

The moon tattoo he has symbolizes his sister, Masina, which means moon in Samoan.

Rose also says he has a tattoo of a tree that represents his father who is a tree trimmer.

“My story goes through a young man, who really doesn’t understand himself, and doesn’t exactly know what he wants to do with himself and goes through his journey and right of passage”, said Rose.

Leilua will now compete in Tokyo after finishing 32^nd in the Bronze fleet (115^th overall) at the World Laser Championship over the week-long competition that ended last Sunday at Sandringham Yacht Club in Melbourne.

The 26-year-old shared his excitement on his Instagram account, thanking everyone for the support.

“Laser Standard Worlds done and dusted here in Melbourne and it’s been a humbling experience to say the least. I’ve learnt a lot of and now know what I need to work on ober the next few months.”

One of the participants is Samoan sailor, Eroni Leilua.

He said competing in the qualifiers means a lot and now all his focus is on Tokyo 2020.

“It was a challenge and it’s pretty expensive. I was supported really well by my work and also by family friends. We ran fundraisers here and there just to cover the cost. It was difficult but also got some funding from Samoa Sailing Association and the Yacht Club, where I grew up sailing and that was special.”

The Sydney-based fighter rose to prominence by winning a silver medal at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and gold at last year's Pacific Games in Samoa.

He was among up to 10 Samoan boxers intending to travel to the Olympic qualifying tournament last month in Wuhan, China, which was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The event will now be held in Jordan from 3-11 March and Plodzicki-Faoagali, 20, said it has forced him to reassess his preparation.