Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike speaks during her meeting about COVID-19 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office on Monday. AFP Photo

Laussane: The International Olympic Committee said Sunday that postponing the 2020 Olympics is one of its options as the world grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, but cancellation of the Tokyo showpiece was "not on the agenda".

The IOC has faced strong pressure to push back the Games, scheduled from July 24 to August 9, from sporting federations and athletes worried about the health risk as the COVID-19 global death tally went past 13,000 on Sunday.

IOC president Thomas Bach said a decision on when the Games take place would be made "within the next four weeks".

Bach explained that the IOC was discussing its options with health authorities and stakeholders.

"We are confident that we will have finalised these discussions within the next four weeks." He made clear that there would a Games in Tokyo at some point.

"Cancellation would not solve any problem and would help nobody," Bach said. "Therefore it is not on our agenda."