Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- There can be no guarantee the postponed Tokyo Olympics will take place next year, the chief executive of the Games has admitted.

Tokyo 2020 became the most prominent sporting casualty of the coronavirus pandemic a fortnight ago when it was pushed back from July to the summer of 2021. The continuing spread of the virus means even that date is uncertain, according to the head of the Tokyo Organising Committee, Toshiro Muto, the Guardian reported.

“I don’t think anyone would be able to say if it is going to be possible to get [the pandemic] under control by next July or not. We’re certainly not in a position to give a clear answer,” Muto said.

“We have made the decision to postpone the Games by one year. So this means all we can do is work hard to prepare for the Games. We sincerely hope that come next year mankind will manage to overcome the coronavirus crisis.”