Japan on schedule for 2020 Olympics despite coronavirus
JAPAN has played down the threat of the Novel Coronavirus, saying it won’t affect the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games as preparations remain on schedule.
“We want to say the coronavirus will not impact the games. As it is still several months ahead, we think that by then there is a measure to stop it,” Makino Michiko, project director of press relations at The Olympic-Paralympic Game 2020 Organising Committee, said last week.
Media reported that more than 130 people on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Japan will host the Olympic Games from July 24 to August 9 and Paralympic Games from August 25 to September 6.
More than 11,000 athletes and another 4,400 Paralympic athletes in 55 sports will compete in a total of 879 sporting events at 43 venues, including newly constructed ones, according to the Olympic-Paralympic Games Organising Committee.
Michiko said she expected 40 million visitors will come to Japan in 2020, particularly to see the games. She said the preparations were going well, with the last few facilities to be completed in February.
Some 3,000 personnel are working during the preparations and another 5,000 staff will be added when the games start. About 15,000 security guards will be deployed to protect the security, Michiko said.
National Olympic Committee of Cambodia secretary-general Vath Chamroeun said last week that
Cambodia has not yet confirmed how many athletes will participate.
“In some sports, we have to compete with other nations to qualify, such as karate, wrestling, and swimming. So, our athletes like Sorn Seavmey need to compete to qualify. This month and in March, there will be some qualifying events,” Chamroeun said.