Tokyo: Within hours of Olympic organisers confirming that the rescheduled Games would start on 23 July next year, Tokyo’s main countdown clock had been reset to show that 479 days remain until the Opening Ceremony of the sporting event is held. On Monday, Tokyo Olympics organisers announced that the Games would run from 23 July to 8 August, 2021.
The digital clock in front of the iconic Tokyo station was erected in the run-up to the $12 billion Games. It had been counting down as normal in the early hours of Monday even though the Olympics were postponed last week due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The delay has caused uncertainty for Tokyo businesses and sponsors. At least one electronic store briefly changed its marketing display to show “999” days left, highlighting the uncertainty about when the Games would be held.
Officials have previously said the Games would still be called “Tokyo 2020” even though they will now be held in 2021.