The Greek Olympic Committee has announced that due to the coronavirus outbreak, the handover of the Olympic Flame to Tokyo will take place at an empty Athens stadium. 

The committee said the decision was taken in coordination with the health ministry and the International Olympic Committee.  

The torch was lit last week at the birthplace of the games in Ancient Olympia in a much quieter ceremony in a bid to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission.  

Last Friday, Greece cancelled the remainder of the domestic Olympic torch relay through the country to avoid attracting crowds.  

Japan is still preparing to host the Olympics, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterated on Saturday, despite the rising global concern surrounding the Games due to the outbreak, as speculation about a delay from the July start date has grown since U.S. President Donald Trump said organizers should consider a one-year postponement.  

But the Japanese government, as well as the IOC, have been adamant the July 24 start date will be met, despite other global sporting events currently on hold. 

The Olympic Torch relay, in which the Olympic flame typically starts a tour around the host nation, is due to start in the Japanese prefecture of Fukushima later this week.