Despite worldwide concern and speculation about whether the fast-spreading virus outbreak will affect the Tokyo Olympics, the International Olympic Committee’s leadership is not joining in the debate.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach told a news conference today about the second day of the executive board meeting in Switzerland that neither the word cancellation nor the word postponement was even mentioned.
Bach sought to project calm assurance after holding a conference call with local organisers.
In Tokyo, officials then briefed local media, some of whom wore protective masks.
Asked how he could be so confident the July 24-August 9 Olympics will go ahead as scheduled, Bach replied: “Because we talk to the experts.”
Bach said they are a sports organisation and they follow the advice of the World Health Organisation.
The coronavirus that emerged in China late last year had infected more than 90,000 people globally by today and caused over 3,100 deaths.
Serious outbreaks have been experienced in Iran and Italy.
Federal authorities in the International Olympic Committee’s home country Switzerland, which shares a border with Italy, have banned public gatherings of 1,000 people until mid-March to help contain the virus spreading.
The Tokyo Olympics are under threat due to the fast-spreading coronavirus which has killed 12 in Japan so far.
[Source: TVNZ]
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