Coronavirus Outbreak Could Disrupt Preparations For 2020 Tokyo Olympics: Organising Committee Official

The preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics could be affected due to the outbreak of Coronavirus that originated in China and has killed over 550 people. However, there are no plans to cancel the games, said a senior Olympic official in Japan, reports The Guardian.

During a meeting in Tokyo with officials from the International Paralympic Committee, Toshiro Muto, chief executive Tokyo Olympic organising committee said, “I am seriously worried that the spread of the infectious disease could throw cold water on the momentum toward the Games,” Muto said adding that he was hopeful that the disease will be stamped out as soon as possible.

The Olympics will open in around 170 days, and 11,000 athletes from over 100 nations will compete in various events. Until now, no deaths have have been reported from Japan

Saburo Kawabuchi, the mayor of the athletes’ village said, “I truly hope that the infectious disease will die down somehow so that we will be able to operate the Paralympics and Olympics smoothly. In the worst case we will do our utmost for the athletes so that they will be able to concentrate on performing their best.”

The coronavirus has killed more than 560 people China and confirmed cases have been reported in other countries like Japan, India, and France, Germany, Australia, Canada etc.