NZOC studies Covid surge in Games city
New Zealand officials are keeping a close eye on developments in Japan, in the wake of a surge of Covid-19 infections which threaten to wipe out last year’s already postponed Olympic Games.
A fresh state of emergency has been declared in Tokyo, where 2447 new cases were reported on Thursday. This is a jump of 850 cases – just over 50 per cent – from the day before. The capital was reporting just a few hundred new cases a few months ago.
The Olympics are set to open on July 23, with the Paralympics to begin on August 24, and the New Zealand Olympic Committee says it is staying in constant contact with its athletes as they navigate the uncertain path ahead.
‘‘We are continuing to work with our athletes to help prepare them for Games time in the Covid environment,’’ the organisation said in a statement to Stuff.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga insists the Olympics will go ahead in a ‘‘safe and secure’’ manner, despite the surge.
In responding to questions over whether the emergency could affect the Olympics, Suga said the organisers and the International Olympic Committee would ‘‘continue to work’’ together to organise the event faultlessly and on schedule.
The Olympics were postponed nine months ago because of the pandemic. A poll last month by Japanese broadcaster NHK showed 63 per cent of 1200 Japanese surveyed think the Games should be postponed again – or cancelled.
Japan has attributed about 3500 deaths to Covid-19, a moderate success rate in controlling the virus for a country of 125 million.
The Switzerland-based IOC and local organisers have said the Games will not be postponed again and will be cancelled if they cannot be held this time.
Japan has invested at least NZ$34 billion in preparing the Olympics, and the IOC depends on selling broadcast rights for almost three-quarters of its income.
The Olympics and Paralympics could involve more than 15,000 athletes entering Japan from 205 nations and territories, plus tens of thousands of officials, judges, administrators, VIPS, sponsors, media and broadcasters.