Year on from urging delay, Greece's Stefanidi supports Games in 2021

Gold medallist pole vaulter Katerina Stefanidi, a vocal proponent for postponing the Tokyo Games last year, is backing the Games to be held this July, with or without spectators.

Before the International Olympic Committee and Japanese government decided to postpone the Games last year due to fears over the coronavirus pandemic, Greece's Stefanidi accused organizers of risking athletes' safety and demanded a plan B.

Days later, organizers did postpone last year's Games, which are now set to begin on July 23.

However, Stefanidi told Kyodo News in an interview published on Sunday, that the Games should now go ahead.

"I think that it's a very different situation than what we had last year, where we didn't really know anything about the virus," the reigning pole vault Olympic champion said.

"If we have to have the Olympics without spectators, I would...