Insta
Coronavirus Outbreak Could Disrupt Preparations For 2020 Tokyo Olympics: Organising Committee Official
Swarajya Staff
Feb 06, 2020, 10:51 AM | Updated 10:51 AM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
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.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.