In a pre-recorded address to the U.N. General Assembly, Suga invoked his past assertions that the Tokyo Games will serve as "proof that humanity has defeated the pandemic," which has claimed nearly 1.5 million lives around the world and upended the global economy.

According to the initial plan, Olympic Tokyo 2020 was scheduled for Japan from July 24 to August 9 with 33 sports. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Olympics has been rescheduled for one year later and will take place from July 23 to August 8, next year, while Paralympic Tokyo will take place from August 24 to September 5.