The International Olympic Committee did the expected two weeks ago, and postponed the 2020 Tokyo Olympics until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But there’s no guarantee the Summer Games will happen next year, according to the Associated Press.

“I don’t think anyone would be able to say if it is going to be possible to get it under control by next July or not,” Tokyo organizing committee CEO Toshiro Muto said, speaking through an interpreter at a news conference conducted remotely. ”We’re certainly are not in a position to give you a clear answer.“

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Businesses that are open | Homepage

When asked if there is an alternative to Tokyo hosting the Olympics in 2021, Muto was noncommittal.

“Rather than think about alternatives plans, we should put in all of our effort,” he said. “Mankind should bring together all of its technology and wisdom to work hard so they can development treatments, medicines and vaccines.”

According to Johns Hopkins University, there are more than 1.6 million diagnosed cases of the coronavirus around the world. Almost one-third of them (466K) are in the U.S. Less than 6,000 are in Japan. Almost 17,000 Americans have died because of the coronavirus, but Japan has seen just 99 COVID-19 deaths.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

If you would like updates on New Jersey-specific coronavirus news, subscribe to our Coronavirus in N.J. newsletter.

Tell us your coronavirus stories, whether it’s a news tip, a topic you want us to cover, or a personal story you want to share.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.