Already pushed back by a year, the 32nd Games are set to take place in July and August but appear in danger of being cancelled as Japan struggles with about 5000 new COVID cases per day.

Tasmanian quartet Jake Birtwhistle (triathlon), Stewart McSweyn (athletics), Georgia Baker (cycling) and Daniel Watkins (paddling) have already qualified for the Games but may face a nervous wait to fulfil their dream, with Richie Porte (cycling) Hamish Peacock (javelin) and Milly Clark (marathon) among other Apple Islanders hoping to make the cut.

Reports that the Olympics were set to be cancelled gathered momentum on Friday morning, prompting AOC president Matt Carroll to address media in Sydney.

Carroll highlighted recent assurances from Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and IOC president Thomas Bach that the Games would go ahead before offering his own.

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"The Games are on and they will start of the 23rd of July," Carroll said.

"The IOC and the organising committee haven't just thought 'we'll go on an usual' because nothing is as usual with the COVID pandemic.

"They've worked out a whole series of scenarios and they will vary those scenarios as we head closer to the start of the Games to address all the issues that need to be [addressed]."

Carroll said Japan was as equipped as any nation to host the world's biggest sporting event amid a pandemic.

"I think the most important thing for people understand is it's not going to be the games like it was in Rio or London - it's going to be a simpler games without the pomp and ceremony, it's very much about the athletes and the competition," he said.

"Yes, it's the worlds biggest sporting event so it's challenging to plan for it, but that's what the job is about.

"One thing I've found out working with Japan for a couple of years - when the Japanese Prime Minister makes a statement, he makes a statement.

"If any country can handle the logistical challenge it's Japan."