Payne said behind the scenes the IOC have been moving towards a postponement for a while.
“It is mind-bogglingly complex to make a sudden change after seven years of preparation for the biggest sporting event in the world,” he told AFP in a phone interview.
“The IOC have been with increasing urgency looking to fall back on Plan B. The IOC remit allows them legally to cancel the Games unilaterally.
“Cancelling the Games though is not an option so to postpone the Games, you have to have your delivery partner (Japan) on board.”