Thai flag edges towards Olympics as relay runners hit finishing straight
“Flag of Nation” relay runners on Tuesday entered the finishing straight of nine provinces before the Thai flag makes its way to the Tokyo Olympics.
A total of 4,568 flag runners – athletes, celebrities and members of the public – are running with the flag through 35 provinces as Thailand counts down to this summers’ Games in Japan.
Setting off from Bangkok on March 28, the flag relay is making its way around the country before being delivered to Suvarnabhumi Airport on May 27.
The flag will then be carried by the Thailand athletics team at the Tokyo Olympics, which runs from July 23 to August 8.
Tuesday saw runners carry the flag between Phetchabun and Khon Kaen on the 45th day of the relay. Heavy summer rain lashed participants on Monday but failed to break their spirits as they head into the last 16 days of the run.
Though organisers insist the Games will go ahead as scheduled, a senior ruling party politician in Japan says cancelling the Tokyo Olympics is still an option if the coronavirus pandemic worsens.
