It is the strongest statement so far on the possibility of canceling the Games from the organization, which has routinely said it was focusing on plans to hold the Olympics next year as the outbreak of Covid-19 grew into a pandemic.
The Olympic and Paralympic Games originally planned for this summer in Tokyo were rescheduled to start from July 23, 2021.
Nikkan Sports quoted Mori responding to a question about another postponement of the games if the pandemic was not over by next summer:
"No. It will be cancelled then. The Olympics was cancelled in the past for the problems like war. We are fighting against invisible enemy now.
Mori reiterated Tokyo 2020 was still working towards holding the Games and that they would be more significant than others. “The Olympics would be much more valuable than any Olympics in the past if we could go ahead with it after winning this battle,” he told the publication. “We have to believe this otherwise our hard work and efforts will not be rewarded.
Tokyo 2020 spokesperson Masa Takaya's told media Tuesday that Mori’s comments “were his own thoughts.”
When questioned about Mori’s remarks, the Tokyo 2020 public relations office responded to CNN in a statement saying, “there are variety of insights opinions around the possibility of hosting games next year.”
“The mission of the organizing committee is to prepare for the stage for the Games next year. We understand there are variety of opinions, however, there are some experts who say it's too early to make a judgment whether to be able to hold the Games,” the statement added.
This post has been updated to include Tokyo 2020's response to CNN.