Athletes bearing Thailand’s Olympic flag reach half-way point but uncertainty hangs over Games

Thailand’s Olympic Flag relay has reached the half-way stage, with runners crossing from the central province of Chai Nat into Nakhon Sawan on Monday. The flag’s journey, which began on March 21 will take in 35 provinces, over 61 days, comprising a total of 4,606 kilometres, or the approximate distance between Bangkok and Tokyo.

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According to a Nation Thailand report, Monday’s leg ended at the 2,303 kilometre mark, while yesterday’s leg travelled from Nakhon Sawan Central Stadium to Chumchon Pracha Samakkhi school, in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet. The journey involves a distance of over 68 kilometres.

In total, the flag is being carried by 4,568 people, including athletes, celebrities and members of the public. It will end its journey at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, from where it’s expected to depart for Tokyo on May 27, accompanied by Thailand’s Olympic athletes.

The Tokyo Olympic Games are scheduled to run from July 23 to August 8. However, doubt still hangs over the games, with Japanese officials warning they could end up cancelled if the country experiences a further outbreak of Covid-19. The games have already been postponed from last year as a result of the pandemic.

Toshihiro Nikai, chief of Japan’s governing party, says there is no point pressing ahead with the Games if it means spreading the virus.

“If the situation comes to the point where we cannot take it anymore, we should call off the Games without hesitation. What’s the point of holding the Olympics if it boosts the spread of infection?”

According to a recent poll carried out by the Kyodo News agency, 72% of Japanese people do not want the Olympic to go ahead at this time.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand