thank you. that apart from scotland. thank you. that is it from us- — apart from scotland. thank you. that is it from us. and _ apart from scotland. thank you. that is it from us. and now _ apart from scotland. thank you. that is it from us. and now the _ apart from scotland. thank you. that is it from us. and now the bbc's - is it from us. and now the bbc�*s news teams are where you are.

hello, and welcome to sportsday. i'm sarah mulkerrins. coming up this evening... will the tokyo olympics go ahead? the president of the international olympic committe has his say. a big year ahead in rugby kicks off with the men's six nations — but should the men's and women's event separate? and will a £10 million grant given to non—league football help teams survive this pandemic?

you're very welcome along to sportsday this evening. it's the big question hanging over the sporting year — will the olympic games go ahead in tokyo? well today, the international olympic committe met and gave their latest show of confidence in the games going ahead. president thomas bach said speculation about a cancellation wasn't helpful, and that it was hurting athletes in their preparations. he went onto say it wasn't just wishful thinking that the olympics could happen — that it was based in solid ground. —— and expert advice. and he called for patience while they deal with the various stakeholders and permuations to try to make it happen. let's hearfrom him now. we are not speculating of whether the games are taking place. we are

working on how the games will take place. that means we have to put covid—19 accountable measures together for every possible scenario. and in this, we are relying on the advice of all the different authorities that the japanese government, the world health organization — we are talking with the manufacturers of vaccines — with the manufacturers of vaccines — with all the experts. we just have to ask for patients and understanding. and we are asking for this patients from the athletes, from the national olympic communities, from the japanese people, the organizing committee, everybody. we have to be patient and diligent in the same way.

let's bring in our senior news reporter laura scott, the president very keen to express what they're doing everything they can to keep these games? the message is unequivocalfrom the message is unequivocal from the ioc, that they are plowing ahead with their preparations. he said, "our task is to organize the olympic games, not cancel the games." he did talk on the speculation we've seen in recent weeks, like the cancellation or a plan b, or postponing to 2032, or indeed moving the games to another city entirely. he said that if anybody understood the complexity of organizing the olympic games, they would know it could not be moved in six months. and he very much wanted to stress that at this stage, they think it is safe to continue with their plans and preparations. and they do think they have the backing of the international federations, they have the backing of the internationalfederations, the national olympic committees, and

indeed the athletes themselves. one interesting point was he could not guarantee spectators at the games. he said they would do whatever they could to put on a safe olympic games and, if that meant that it couldn't have spectators, then safety is their first priority and it must remain so, and they will stick by their principles. but they would like to see things in stadia, that's what makes the olympic same paralympics in such a spectacle. but he pointed to the confidence he's got from seeing so many events going on around the world. he said more than 7000 events have taken place with 175,000 covid-i9 than 7000 events have taken place with 175,000 covid—i9 tests, of with 175,000 covid—19 tests, of which 0.18 were positive. a lot of confidence coming out of the ioc today. they will continue with their plans, and we will see more plans develop with this so—called playbook that the ioc will publish soon. and that the ioc will publish soon. and that should give more detail on the modifications that they are prepared to put in place to make this go ahead, so that they can pull off the

games this year. ahead, so that they can pull off the games this year-— ahead, so that they can pull off the games this year. laura scott, thank ou so games this year. laura scott, thank you so much _ games this year. laura scott, thank you so much for— games this year. laura scott, thank you so much forjoining _ games this year. laura scott, thank you so much forjoining us - games this year. laura scott, thank you so much forjoining us here - games this year. laura scott, thank you so much forjoining us here on. you so much forjoining us here on sportsday. well, we heard thomas bach saying how the speculation isn't helping athletes at the moment. so let's hear from double olympic triplejump champion christian taylor. he is the president of the athletes association, and says a decision can't be put off too long. it cannot be a last minute thing, it's not fair for it cannot be a last minute thing, it's not fairfor anyone, and this is the same thing we are pushing last year. just let us know, you know? of course, with respect and with hope, we want to see what happens with the vaccine, what happens with the vaccine, what happens notjust injapan but globally. you know, making sure that these vaccines are available and we can get out and see what happens with this trend. but i believe that at march going into april, we need to say, "this is where we are, and reality is this," and go from there.

and what are you hearing from athletes? fist and what are you hearing from athletes? �* . �* . and what are you hearing from athletes? �* , �* , ., , athletes? at this time, it's really 50-50. athletes? at this time, it's really 50-50- there — athletes? at this time, it's really 50-50. there are _ athletes? at this time, it's really 50-50. there are many - athletes? at this time, it's really 50-50. there are many different| 50—50. there are many different layers to this, but i can say unofficially that it's really been, you know, almost split down the middle. whether my team—mates, my friends abroad, if i'm saying, how do you feel about going into the summer? some say they're going to a question, others say they don't know if it's worth it. question, others say they don't know if it's worth it— if it's worth it. what about competing _ if it's worth it. what about competing with _ if it's worth it. what about competing with no - if it's worth it. what about competing with no fans? i if it's worth it. what about i competing with no fans? and if it's worth it. what about _ competing with no fans? and olympics with no fans, but will that be like? that's something that's been talked about. i that's something that's been talked about. ~' ., , that's something that's been talked about. ~ ., , , about. i think the athletes will be so grateful _ about. i think the athletes will be so grateful and _ about. i think the athletes will be so grateful and appreciative - about. i think the athletes will be so grateful and appreciative to i about. i think the athletes will be j so grateful and appreciative to be in the field or to be in the pool that they will say, "you know what? because we are here, we're just going to give it our all and hope and really put on a show for all those that weren't able to make it." the people in the japanese government are saying it's not on them. how frustrating is that for

you and your fellow athletes? it’s you and your fellow athletes? it's reall you and your fellow athletes? it�*s really disruptive because every day you going to training and you think, at one moment you start training and think you're going to go in and defend this title, being the best athlete you can be. by the middle training, you wonder what you're even training for. you have this uncertainty of, what is the light at the end of the tunnel? so it is very difficult, and i'll speak to my coaches and say, "hey, just take a few days, don't go on social media or watch the news. just attach and have a really good training block." but the reality is i can't put my head in the sand because i need to know what i'm working towards. so yes, it is very difficult. in know what i'm working towards. so yes, it is very difficult.— yes, it is very difficult. in normal circumstances _ yes, it is very difficult. in normal circumstances we _ yes, it is very difficult. in normal circumstances we would - yes, it is very difficult. in normal circumstances we would be - yes, it is very difficult. in normal. circumstances we would be gearing yes, it is very difficult. in normal- circumstances we would be gearing up for a bumper year circumstances we would be gearing up fora bumperyear in circumstances we would be gearing up for a bumper year in 2021. we are just a week away from the start of the amends the six nations, which launched today virtually for the first time. at the women's event is on hold for the moment. and what

about all the big key players from britain and ireland? they will be using the six nations to try to make the lions squad. they are due to play theirfirst the lions squad. they are due to play their first match on their tour of south africa on the 3rd ofjuly with the final test in johannesburg a with the final test injohannesburg a month with the final test in johannesburg a month later. then another really big event on the horizon. what about the fate of the women's world cup? it is scheduled for new zealand in september. most players around the world are amateur in the sport, and even nine months out with women's rugby, they have to work out how they can play through new zealand's tough travel restrictions. it's difficult enough for the men's game to play on right now. and coaches at the six nations have been talking about covid—19 issues in their squad ahead of next week's first round of matches. i ahead of next week's first round of matches. ., �* , ., �* , ~ matches. i don't see what it's like with the club _ matches. i don't see what it's like with the club game. _ matches. i don't see what it's like with the club game. we _ matches. i don't see what it's like with the club game. we have - matches. i don't see what it's like i with the club game. we have access to a lot of players without our

current squad. so it depends on how late the happen. if we pick this up on thursday or friday, we can get them in and get them tested. we have three sets of front row here, because front row was probably the riskiest position, if we do get the virus in here. but i don't think games will be called off, they'll just have access to other players. gregor townsend there, talking about some of the things he's having to manage. let's bring in sarah orchard, a rugby union reporter. tell us what they were talking about, the made headlights there today? i about, the made headlights there toda ? , , about, the made headlights there toda? , ., about, the made headlights there toda ? , ., ., today? i suppose the one thing that whales fans — today? i suppose the one thing that whales fans will _ today? i suppose the one thing that whales fans will be _ today? i suppose the one thing that whales fans will be most _ today? i suppose the one thing that whales fans will be most interested | whales fans will be most interested in from their point of view was we heard from their captain, who's had this knee injury that's kept him out from playing, he had the injury and the start of december when they were playing against italy in the automations cup. he said he's nearly back to full fitness but no

confirmation if you will be ready for that first fixture against ireland. but perhaps away from ireland, was interesting as organisers say they're still a bit of detail that needs to be ironed out with the french government when it comes to players moving around europe. 50 clearly a little bit more still needs to be done, but they're confident the tournament will be completed. confident the tournament will be completed-— confident the tournament will be comleted. , ._ ., ., ~' completed. they may look further down the line, _ completed. they may look further down the line, we _ completed. they may look further down the line, we know _ completed. they may look further down the line, we know south - completed. they may look further i down the line, we know south africa is in a difficult place right now with the plan endemic. do you have any more indications as to what may happen with the reliance tour —— pandemic? happen with the reliance tour -- pandemic?— happen with the reliance tour -- pandemic? perhaps not an exact detail, pandemic? perhaps not an exact detail. but _ pandemic? perhaps not an exact detail, but there _ pandemic? perhaps not an exact detail, but there was _ pandemic? perhaps not an exact detail, but there was certainly i detail, but there was certainly plenty of discussion about it today. not just plenty of discussion about it today. notjust discussion, but impassioned speeches almost from many of the coaches and players that the tour must take place in some form. we heard from gregor earlier, and he was one of the most passionate people to speak about it. he was a lion back in 1997 when they toured

south africa —— gregor townsend. he said it must not be underestimated in any way that it must take place, such as its value. all the home nations captains have been speaking to organisers, they know it must go ahead. whether it be south africa, with or without fans, whether it be in the uk with or without fans, or if that means a delay. we still don't know. if that means a delay. we still don't know-— if that means a delay. we still don't know. ~ ., ., ~ ., don't know. when we look to the future of the _ don't know. when we look to the future of the women's _ don't know. when we look to the future of the women's game, - don't know. when we look to the future of the women's game, as| don't know. when we look to the - future of the women's game, as well, there's an awful lot in the air between the women's six nations, which is at the moment on hold, and what that means for the women's world cup in new zealand. i what that means for the women's world cup in new zealand.- world cup in new zealand. i think women's rugby — world cup in new zealand. i think women's rugby fans _ world cup in new zealand. i think women's rugby fans thought - world cup in new zealand. i try “ia; women's rugby fans thought perhaps the worst of coronavirus had passed them. but with that world cup in september now getting closer, there are a few more worries. but six nations organisers having initially delayed the tournament said next week they should be announcing new fixtures for the tournament in spring. it is significant because some of those matches involving

italy, scotland and ireland will be doubling up as well, qualifying fixtures. because there are still places that need to be filled at that tournament, and world rugby also has to get involved to make sure they are all played. and as you mentioned earlier, a lot of the women who play for these countries are amateur. so it's not as easy for them to bubble up for weeks at a time like it is for men's sides. sarah, thank you very much for your time. good news for the women's domestic series, they return following their two—week suspension to reduce the spread of covid—19. here's the saracens flanker vicki fleetwood. i here's the saracens flanker vicki fleetwood-_ fleetwood. i think everyone understood _ fleetwood. i think everyone understood that _ fleetwood. i think everyone understood that the - fleetwood. i think everyone understood that the health | fleetwood. i think everyone i understood that the health of fleetwood. i think everyone - understood that the health of the nation is more important than rugby at this time, and the fact that the men's premiership and ourselves took that two week break, i think it was the right thing to do. so yeah, we

are all really excited to get going this weekend, having those lateral flow tests coming in for the women's games will be really important, for us to be able to continue to play. for those people who aren't full—time with a rugby, it's really important for them to know that they're safe as well, and they're coming in and not spreading anything. so it's really important for everyone. anything. so it's really important for everyone-— anything. so it's really important for everyone. vicki fleetwood has it, there for everyone. vicki fleetwood has it. there over— for everyone. vicki fleetwood has it, there over the _ for everyone. vicki fleetwood has it, there over the line, _ for everyone. vicki fleetwood has it, there over the line, and - it, there overthe line, and fleetwood has the five pointer. by fleetwood has the five pointer. by; the fleetwood has the five pointer. the time fleetwood has the five pointer. by the time the two week break was brought— the time the two week break was brought in. — the time the two week break was brought in. we _ the time the two week break was brought in, we found _ the time the two week break was brought in, we found out - the time the two week break was brought in, we found out that- the time the two week break was| brought in, we found out that the women's — brought in, we found out that the women's six _ brought in, we found out that the women's six nations _ brought in, we found out that the women's six nations was - brought in, we found out that the women's six nations was being i women's six nations was being postponed _ women's six nations was being postponed to _ women's six nations was being postponed to spring. _ women's six nations was being postponed to spring. as - women's six nations was being i postponed to spring. as someone women's six nations was being - postponed to spring. as someone who had been _ postponed to spring. as someone who had been hoping — postponed to spring. as someone who had been hoping to— postponed to spring. as someone who had been hoping to play— postponed to spring. as someone who had been hoping to play in— postponed to spring. as someone who had been hoping to play in that, - postponed to spring. as someone who had been hoping to play in that, and i had been hoping to play in that, and hopefully— had been hoping to play in that, and hopefully the — had been hoping to play in that, and hopefully the world _ had been hoping to play in that, and hopefully the world cup _ had been hoping to play in that, and hopefully the world cup later- had been hoping to play in that, and hopefully the world cup later this i hopefully the world cup later this year. _ hopefully the world cup later this year. what — hopefully the world cup later this year. what was _ hopefully the world cup later this year, what was your— hopefully the world cup later this year, what was your reaction i hopefully the world cup later this year, what was your reaction to i hopefully the world cup later this i year, what was your reaction to the news _ year, what was your reaction to the news it— year, what was your reaction to the news it had — year, what was your reaction to the news it had been— year, what was your reaction to the news it had been pushed _ year, what was your reaction to the news it had been pushed back- year, what was your reaction to the news it had been pushed back wasl news it had been pushed back was make _ news it had been pushed back was make because _ news it had been pushed back was make because there _ news it had been pushed back was make because there are _ news it had been pushed back was make because there are negativesj news it had been pushed back was i make because there are negatives but there also— make because there are negatives but there also positive _ make because there are negatives but there also positive opportunities i make because there are negatives but there also positive opportunities it- there also positive opportunities it as welt _ there also positive opportunities it as well. . ., , , , as well. obviously with me 'ust wantin: as well. obviously with me 'ust wanting to fl as well. obviously with me 'ust wanting to play. fl as well. obviously with me 'ust wanting to ptay. ifi as well. obviously with me 'ust wanting to play, i was i as well. obviously with me just wanting to play, i was quite i as well. obviously with me just i wanting to play, i was quite gutted that it's been postponed. but we

have to do what's right for everyone for the rest of the other countries that were involved, i know some of them don't have that vaccine rolling out in the way that we do. you've got to think about the bigger picture. 50 there has been the talk that there will be positives, that it's not running alongside the men's as part of that second fixture that's going on in the weekend. actually it will be a stand—alone thing that's going on, so potentially the media coverage that we will get an that people won't be worrying about whether to watch the men's or the women's games — there are positives to take from that. i'm really looking forward to playing a different time, i know there's been chat over the last few years about whether it should be played at a different time to the men's. 50 by our hands being forced to try it, let's see how it goes.— let's see how it goes. vicki fleetwood _ let's see how it goes. vicki fleetwood therefrom i let's see how it goes. vicki i fleetwood therefrom saracens let's see how it goes. vicki fleetwood therefrom saracens talking to our reporterjo currie. let's quickly round up some of the day's other stories now. potter carrington says