The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
‘Serious concern’ voiced at spread of virus
Organising committee chief afraid disease ‘could throw cold water’ on build-up
Iam seriously worried that the spread of the infectious disease could throw cold water on the momentum towards the games.
TOSHIRO MUTO
The chief executive of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games organising committee says he is “seriously worried” about the spread of the coronavirus.
The latest figures from the Chinese Health Commission yesterday reported that approaching 25,000 people have been infected there by the virus, resulting in a death toll of near 500, while 15 sports events have so far been cancelled or postponed.
The Tokyo 2020 organising committee has stated there are no plans to cancel the Games this summer, with the Olympics getting under way on July 24.
But the committee’s chief executive Toshiro Muto expressed deep concerns when asked about the outbreak yesterday.
“I am seriously worried that the spread of the infectious disease could throw cold water on the momentum towards the games,” Muto told reporters at an International Paralympic Committee meeting.
“I hope that it will be stamped out as soon as possible.”
Japan has not reported any deaths from the coronavirus to date. It was yesterday reported that there were 33 confirmed cases of the virus in Japan, while 10 people on a cruise ship docked in the Japanese port of Yokohama are reported to have tested positive for the virus.
IPC spokesman Craig Spence struck a more upbeat tone than Muto, saying: “We have full confidence that the relevant authorities, in particular here in Japan and the World Health Organisation, will take all the necessary measures to address the situation.”
The likelihood of the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix going ahead in April appears to be receding.
The spotlight is on the fourth event of Formula One’s record-breaking 22-race calendar this year at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 17-19.
Guidelines issued in a statement by the Shanghai Sports Federation declares that it will “strictly implement the requirement that the municipal sports bureau no longer organise events during the epidemic” and to “suspend all sports events until the epidemic is over”.
The ball is now in the court of the race promoter Juss Event Management, F1’s rights holders Liberty Media and motorsport’s world governing body, the FIA, with the latter issuing a statement last week saying it was monitoring the situation.
Although the race in Shanghai is still
more than nine weeks away, pressure will be mounting on all sides to make a decision, with the remarks from the Shanghai Sports Federation adding to the urgency of the matter.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office continues to advise against all but essential travel to mainland China, while a number of airlines have suspended flights to the country.
Meanwhile, F1 was due to discuss the situation at its latest Strategy Group meeting.
While not at risk at present, it is understood concerns are growing regarding the debut race in Vietnam, that shares an 800-mile border with China.
Ten cases have so far been confirmed, while the country’s health officials have stated that field hospitals are being erected to deal with the influx of its foreign nationals from China.
Two military facilities in Hanoi, where the grand prix is due to be staged from April 3-5, are being turned into quarantine centres as it prepares to receive 950 people.
The World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing have been postponed until next year.
The China Open snooker has also been postponed.
Organisers are looking for a date later in the year.