Olympics are in jeopardy without coronavirus vaccine
The delayed Tokyo Olympics could not be held next year if conditions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continue as they are, the president of the organizing committee said Wednesday.
In an interview with Japanese broadcaster NHK, Yoshiro Mori said he was hopeful the situation would improve and suggested a vaccine was the key.
“If this kind of situation (with COVID-19) continues, is it possible to hold the games?” Mori was asked by NHK.
“If current situation continues, we couldn’t,” Mori replied, speaking in Japanese.
The Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to open on July 23, 2021 — a year from today. A small, 15-minute ceremony without fans is scheduled at the new national stadium to mark the date.
The International Olympic Committee and Japanese organizers have repeatedly expressed confidence the games will take place, though they have offered few details on how they can happen in the middle of a pandemic.
The IOC and organizers have also said the Olympics will not be postponed again and would be canceled.
“It would be too much for us to answer each of these hypothetical questions,” Mori said. “I don’t think this situation will last for another year.”
Researchers have said a vaccine could be six-to-nine months away, which Mori said was the key. Some, however, question if young athletes should be a priority, and if all would agree to be vaccinated.
“Whether the Olympics can be done or not is about whether humanity can beat the coronavirus,” Mori said. “Specifically, to develop a vaccine or drug is the first point.”
Plans call for the full contingent of 11,000 Olympic athletes and 4,400 Paralympic athletes to be competing at 42 venues.
NHL
CROSBY SKATES INDIVIDUALLY PRIOR TO PENGUINS PRACTICE >> Sidney Crosby worked out on the ice individually prior to Wednesday’s fullteam practice.
The Penguins captain was the only skater on the ice when the doors were opened to the media at 10 a.m. He scooped up some pucks into a bag, sat on the bench while the Zambonis drove around and then took his sticks back to the dressing room.
Crosby has not participated in a full team event since leaving Saturday’s scrimmage in the second period. In an attempt to maintain medical privacy amidst COVID-19, the NHL has implemented a new policy in which it will not disclose any information about injuries or illnesses. Coach Mike Sullivan and general manager Jim Rutherford both cited that policy in the days after Crosby’s
absence.
FROM CANCER TO CONTRACT, LINDB
LOM NETS EXTENSION WITH FLYERS >> The Philadelphia Flyers signed Oskar Lindblom to a $9 million, three-year contract extension only weeks after the promising forward completed radiation treatments for a rare form of bone cancer.
The Flyers hope the 23-year-old Lindblom can be among the 31 players who will travel with the team to Toronto for the Aug. 1 scheduled resumption of the hockey season. Lindblom hasn’t played since December when he was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a tumor that grows in the bones or in the tissue around bones. He had 11 goals and 18 points in 30 games this season.
College basketball
FORMER UCONN FINAL FOUR STARTER STANLEY ROBINSON DIES AT 32 >> Former UConn basketball player Stanley Robinson has died of unknown causes at a family residence in Birmingham, Alabama. He was 32.
Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said Robinson was found unresponsive by a family member Tuesday night in his hometown.
Robinson, who had turned 32 on July 14, played at UConn from 200610. The 6-foot-9 forward started 103 career games and averaged 9.8 points and 6.2 rebounds over four seasons.
Motorsports
INDY 500 TO REDUCE CAPACITY TO 25 PERCENT, LIFT BLACKOUT >> The Indianapolis 500 will limit fan attendance to 25% of capacity and lift a local broadcast blackout for just the second time in nearly seven decades when the postponed race is run next month at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Speedway officials released a detailed 88-page plan Wednesday for conducting the 104th edition of the race in the age of the coronavirus. The first race under new track owner Roger Penske was scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, but the outbreak of the virus caused it to be rescheduled for Aug. 23.
Capacity will be limited to 87,500 fans at the massive speedway. Everyone will be required to wear masks and have their temperatures checked.
Soccer
SPORTING KC SCORES EARLY, AD
VANCES WITH 2-0 WIN OVER RSL >> Johnny Russell scored in the first minute, Gerso Fernandes added an insurance goal in the closing minutes, and Sporting Kansas City secured its spot in the knockout round of the MLS is Back tournament with a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Kansas City (4-1-0) finished with six points after two wins in the group stage to secure a spot in the round of 16. Kansas City will finish either first or second in Group D depending on the outcome of Minnesota United’s late match against Colorado. Real Salt Lake (1-1-3) will still advance to the knockout stage of the tournament as one of the top four thirdplace finishers.
FC CINCINNATI BLANKS RED BULLS, ADVANCES IN TOURNEY >> Forward Yuya Kubo scored the tiebreaking goal late in the first half to help FC Cincinnati post a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls and claim a Round of 16 berth in the MLS is Back tournament. The victory means FC Cincinnati (2-1-0) will finish second in Group E. The Red Bulls (1-2-0) took a huge blow, as they aren’t currently one of the four third-place teams that would advance due to their minus-3 goal differential.
LIVERPOOL BEATS CHELSEA 5-3 BEFORE COLLECTING PL TROPHY >> Fireworks on and off the field at Liverpool’s Anfield.
As the fans shut out of the stadium lit the sky with pyrotechnics, Liverpool and Chelsea provided their own explosive moments in an eight-goal thriller.
A 5-3 victory before receiving the Premier League trophy was an entertaining way for Liverpool to sign off from Anfield for the season on Wednesday. Defeat for Chelsea left Frank Lampard’s side still needing a point from Sunday’s final match of the season against Wolverhampton to seal a Champions League place.
In the stands Liverpool’s most fervent fans usually sit, sway and sing, captain Jordan Henderson received the Premier League trophy.
The party on the Kop was the culmination of a quest to end a 30-year title drought that began 348 days ago, before the outbreak of a new coronavirus that jeopardized the season finishing.