Less than six months before the official commencement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic games, hundreds of thousands of international and local Olympic fans or enthusiasts are looking forward to witness the much anticipated international sports event. However, with the proliferation of the novel corona virus that originated in Wuhan, China, a lot of excited Olympic spectators and participants are worried about their health and safety in the midst of the global pandemic.
In addition, there were reports that the International Olympics Committee coordinated with the World Health Organization to discuss about the possibility of an outbreak. These events led to the spread of rumors that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic games will be cancelled.
Meanwhile, the organizing committee of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic games have made a statement that they have not made any decision or announcement that this year’s games to be held in Japan will be cancelled nor postponed. So far, no casualties are reported in Japan as a result of the novel corona virus that has killed more than two hundred people in China.
According the organizers of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic games, “We have never discussed cancelling the games. Tokyo 2020 will continue to collaborate with the IOC and relevant organizations and will review any countermeasures that may be necessary.”
On the other hand, the International Olympic Committee clarified that the preparations for the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics will push through. It is a normal practice for them to coordinate with all the agencies of the United Nations including the World Health Organization prior to the start of the grand sports events.
In order to ensure public health and safety during the course of the Olympic games, the organizing committee of the Tokyo Olympics in coordination with the Japanese government will implement stringent airport screening.
Reference: Tokyo Olympic organizers try to dampen cancellation rumors
