Tokyo 2020
Tokyo 2020 is few months away, but the outbreak of coronavirus is beginning to raise questions of if it will still be held? The virus is spreading rapidly with China doing everything possible to maintain it. It is in the Asian part of the continent so as Japan where the games are to be played.
The virus which has caused a national health issue will not disrupt the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games says Tokyo authorities. Olympic which is this year’s leading sports events is at the risk of being post-pond or at worse counselled. The official on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had assured participants that the virus will not affect the games.
“The coronavirus has nothing to do with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as this outbreak won’t block the games,” IOC Vice President Ugur Erdener from Turkey added. Erdener said Olympics officials are currently monitoring the situation concerning the outbreak.
Regarding Chinese athletes and coaching staff, Erdener said: “If some are infected, they won’t be allowed [to enter Japan] of course.” Like Turkey, countries are taking necessary screening measures in the arrival areas of their airports, he added.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said this that the government would make utmost efforts to ensure that the outbreak does not trouble the 2020 Olympics.
“We will keep in close contact with everybody, including the International Olympic Committee and the World Health Organization, to take appropriate steps and keep the coronavirus from affecting the Olympics,” Abe said in a parliamentary session.
Meanwhile, Japanese Olympics Minister Seiko Hashimoto said the Olympics’ organizers are not considering cancelling the games.
The coronavirus, also known as 2019-nCoV, has killed at least 492 people in China and abroad since it emerged in Wuhan city in late December. More than 17,200 others have been infected by the virus, which is believed to have been transmitted to humans from animals, particularly bats.
Besides China, the virus has spread to more than 24 countries including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the U.S., France, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, India, Nepal and Canada. With this report the 2020 Olympic is now hanging and pending on the total defeat of the virus.
Japan has assured the Olympic organizers of their readiness to host the event despite the rumors flying around about the coronavirus. Travelers from China are being screened at airports worldwide and several airlines have suspended flights to Wuhan.
Japan, South Korea, the U.S., Australia, Pakistan, India, France, Germany, Indonesia and Turkey have evacuated their citizens from the city.