An online petition calling for the Tokyo Olympics cancellation has garnered nearly 200,000 signatures in the past few days, as the general public skepticism builds up against holding the event during a pandemic.
The state of emergency in the host city Tokyo has been extended until the end of May in a bid to tackle rising cases of coronavirus infections.
In two days since its launch on May 5, an online campaign called "Stop Tokyo Olympics" has gathered more than 187,000 signatures, nearing its 200,000 goal and underscoring public concerns over holding the massive sporting event in Japan's capital.
With less than three months to go before the kick off of the global showpiece, questions still remain over how Japan's capital can be able to host the global event and keep volunteers, athletes, officials and the Japanese public safe from coronavirus.
With the country facing a fourth wave of the deadly virus,the government is still struggling on the vaccination campaign process among its citizens and thus forcing an extension in a state of emergency in Tokyo and other three areas until the end of May.
Opinion polls conducted among the Japanese citizens have found the majority of the public opposing the Games, which are due to open on July 23 simply because of the risks that the Japanese residents will be exposed to during the event.
Despite the backlash of the global event by the host citizens, the organisers of the olympic games (International Olympic Committee) have repeatedly insisted that the Games will go ahead as planned, unveiling detailed Covid-19 protocols for athletes and officials to adhere to.
Athletes and teams across the globe continue to intensify their preparation of the Summer olympic games with most teams such as the Kenyan Women Volleyball team Malkia Strikers adapting the bubble training format to aid them in preparing for the main event.
The International Olympic Committee also has urged athletes and the various governing bodies to embrace the Coronavirus Vaccines before taking part in the summer games scheduled for July 23.