Olympics: Japanese Towns Abandon Plan To Host Visiting Athletes Amid Surge In Coronavirus Infections

Amid the worsening Covid 19 spread in Japan -- the host country for the Olympics, towns have reportedly abandoned plans to accept overseas athletes.

There are rising concerns about the resources that would be needed in case of a worsening scenario as Japan faces the fourth wave of coronavirus infections.

The Games are scheduled from 23 July to 8 August. Japan has vowed to hold the Olympics amid criticism.

Reportedly, Japan is preparing to offer vaccinations to about 2,500 Olympic and Paralympic athletes and support staff in order to "forestall" an outbreak during the Olympics.

Reuters says in a report on its website:

Of 528 towns registered to welcome international competitors, about 40 have decided not to accept athletes for training camps and cultural exchanges before the global sporting showpiece, the Nikkei reported citing a government source.

The report mentions that Ibaraki prefecture Governor Kazuhiko said that he "rejected the Tokyo Olympics Organising Committee's request to secure hospital beds for the athletes."

There are efforts to prioritise citizens over the visiting athletes who would be competing in the sporting event. Ooigawa added that cancellation of the Games should be considered if the situation worsened.