Olympic leaders back IOC's Tokyo stance after rare criticism
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach from Germany speaks during a press conference after the executive board meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), at the Olympic House, in Lausanne, Switzerland, Wednesday, March 4, 2020. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach from Germany speaks during a press conference after the executive board meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), at the Olympic House, in Lausanne, Switzerland, Wednesday, March 4, 2020. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)

Mar. 04, 2020 04:45 PM EST
A woman walks past a large display promoting the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Friday, March 13, 2020. U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion to postpone the Tokyo Olympics for a year because of the spreading coronavirus was immediately shot down by Japan's Olympic minister. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

A woman walks past a large display promoting the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Friday, March 13, 2020. U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion to postpone the Tokyo Olympics for a year because of the spreading coronavirus was immediately shot down by Japan's Olympic minister. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Mar. 13, 2020 05:02 AM EDT
FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2019, file photo, Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Hayley Wickenheiser poses in Toronto. Regional Olympic officials are rallying around the IOC and have backed its stance on opening the Tokyo Games as scheduled. Their support comes one day after direct criticism from athletes amid the coronavirus outbreak. “I think the IOC insisting this will move ahead, with such conviction, is insensitive and irresponsible given the state of humanity,” said Wickenheiser, a four-time Olympic hockey gold medalist from Canada. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP, Fle)

FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2019, file photo, Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Hayley Wickenheiser poses in Toronto. Regional Olympic officials are rallying around the IOC and have backed its stance on opening the Tokyo Games as scheduled. Their support comes one day after direct criticism from athletes amid the coronavirus outbreak. “I think the IOC insisting this will move ahead, with such conviction, is insensitive and irresponsible given the state of humanity,” said Wickenheiser, a four-time Olympic hockey gold medalist from Canada. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP, Fle)

Mar. 18, 2020 05:02 PM EDT
Ground crews of Japanese airlines wave to the special "Tokyo 2020 Go" aircraft that will transport the Olympic Flame to Japan after the Torch Handover Ceremony in Greece, on its departure at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Ground crews of Japanese airlines wave to the special "Tokyo 2020 Go" aircraft that will transport the Olympic Flame to Japan after the Torch Handover Ceremony in Greece, on its departure at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Mar. 18, 2020 07:33 AM EDT
FILE - In this April 4, 2016, file photo, Team Canada's Hayley Wickenheiser wears her silver medal after losing 1-0 to Team USA in the gold medal game at the women's world hockey championships in Kamloops, British Columbia. Regional Olympic officials are rallying around the IOC and have backed its stance on opening the Tokyo Games as scheduled. Their support comes one day after direct criticism from athletes amid the coronavirus outbreak. “I think the IOC insisting this will move ahead, with such conviction, is insensitive and irresponsible given the state of humanity,” said Wickenheiser, a four-time Olympic hockey gold medalist from Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

FILE - In this April 4, 2016, file photo, Team Canada's Hayley Wickenheiser wears her silver medal after losing 1-0 to Team USA in the gold medal game at the women's world hockey championships in Kamloops, British Columbia. Regional Olympic officials are rallying around the IOC and have backed its stance on opening the Tokyo Games as scheduled. Their support comes one day after direct criticism from athletes amid the coronavirus outbreak. “I think the IOC insisting this will move ahead, with such conviction, is insensitive and irresponsible given the state of humanity,” said Wickenheiser, a four-time Olympic hockey gold medalist from Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

Mar. 18, 2020 04:59 PM EDT