INTERNATIONAL Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission Chairman John Coates claimed the World Health Organization (WHO) has told the body there is “no case” for canceling or postponing Tokyo 2020 because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Coates claimed the IOC is confident “we’ll be able to ensure that the Games go ahead in a way that’s safe for the athletes and spectators” because of cooperation between the Tokyo 2020 virus task force, and other authorities involved.
The senior IOC member also insisted most Chinese athletes have been preparing for the Olympics and Paralympic Games overseas, and would, therefore, not need to be quarantined when they arrive in Japan.
Concerns over the impact of the coronavirus, given the official name of COVID-19 by the WHO, on the Games in the Japanese capital have grown in recent weeks.
The death toll has risen to 1,380, according to Chinese authorities, while there are nearly 64,000 infections in the country.
Japan the other day reported its first death from the virus, which originated in Wuhan, and there are more than 251 cases in the Olympic and Paralympic host nation. A total of 218 of these are linked to a cruise liner quarantined in a Japanese port.
Japanese officials vowed to step up testing and efforts to contain the spread of the virus, which has infected around 450 people in 24 other countries and territories.
A host of events in numerous sports, including qualifiers for Tokyo 2020, the Formula One Grand Prix in Shanghai and the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Nanjing, have been canceled, postponed or moved outside of China because of the outbreak.
“We received the report on the task force implemented by Tokyo 2020, its coordination with the task forces implemented by the national government and the Tokyo Municipal Government, and their relationship with the Japan health authorities,” Coates said following the conclusion of a two-day project review of Tokyo 2020.
“And pleasingly, there has been very, very good coordination between the two, sharing of information, which is so critical,” he said. “Certainly the advice we’re received externally from the WHO is that there’s no case for any contingency plans, or canceling the Games or moving the Games.”
Tokyo 2020 President Yoshirō Mori, who reiterated Coates’s comments today, criticized suggestions that the Games could be canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak as “irresponsible rumors” after the first day of the project review.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe promised earlier this month that the country would “respond appropriately,” and work closely with the WHO to ensure preparations for Tokyo 2020 are not affected by the virus.
Tokyo 2020 Chief Executive Toshirō Mutō, however, admitted last week that he was “seriously worried that the spread of the infectious disease could throw cold water on the momentum toward the Games.”
Tokyo 2020 Athletes’ Village Mayor Saburo Kawabuchi conceded during the project review meeting that organizers “don’t have any clue when this issue will be resolved.”
“The biggest concern is the coronavirus and the infection,” he said. “Based on various pieces of information we receive, it seems that this virus is not as strong as the influenza virus. The virus is susceptible to humidity and heat.
“In Japan, we have the rainy season which could defeat the virus,” he added.
A group of Olympic Winter Sports Federations, meanwhile, expressed its support for the work in China in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic.
The presidents of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, International Biathlon Union, International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), International Luge Federation, International Skating Union, World Curling Federation (WCF) and the International Ski Federation (FIS) all released statements supporting the nation as it continues preparations for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing.
China’s Winter Sport Management Center sent letters to the international federations regarding the national teams’ prevention measures for the moment and received positive responses from everyone.
“Everyone applauds the Chinese health authorities for the quick and efficient measures they have put in place to prevent the spread of this dreadful virus,” Kate Caithness, president of the WCF, said in the letter.
IIHF President René Fasel expressed the wish to work with China for Beijing 2022 promising that they will do their best to “build and preserve a positive legacy for Chinese ice hockey for the future.”
“It is impressive to see the extensive and meticulous measures you are taking,” Sarah Lewis, secretary-general of the FIS, said. “The rest of the world can learn many things.”
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