Is it possible Covid-19 will wreak havoc on plans to hold the postponed Tokyo Olympics in the summer of 2021?
The virus is spreading in Japan, where major restrictions on residents have been enacted. Japan has reported about 5,000 cases and 100 deaths. The country has the world’s oldest population and COVID-19 can be especially deadly for the elderly.
“I don’t think anyone would be able to say if it is going to be possible to get it under control by next July or not,” stated Tokyo Organizing Committee CEO Toshiro Muto, adding, “We’re certainly are not in a position to give you a clear answer.”
“We have made the decision to postpone the games by one year,” Muto said during a press conference reported by the Associated Press..
“So this means that all we can do is work hard to prepare for the Games. We sincerely hope that come next year, mankind will manage to overcome the coronavirus crisis.”
Muto was asked if there are alternative plans to the 2021 dates.
“Rather than think about alternatives plans, we should put in all of our effort,” he said. “Mankind should bring together all of its technology and wisdom to work hard so they can development treatments, medicines and vaccines.”
Meanwhile, travel restrictions imposed by the Japanese government have led to cancellation of next month’s visit to Tokyo by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, who had been scheduled to look at preparations for next year’s Games. The restrictions were designed to curb the spread of the virus, which has infected more than 6,000 people in Tokyo.