2020 Olympic Games in Japan: Coronavirus makes traditional components extremely dangerous

Already 850 people were infected with the corona virus in Japan. The disease is already casting a shadow over the 2020 Olympic Games.

• Japan is hosting the 2020 Olympic Games.
• The country is suffering severely from the spread of the coronavirus *.
• The traditional torch relay will probably not take place as planned.

Tokyo - Just five months before the opening ceremony on July 24, the summer games in Tokyo are threatened by the first direct effects of the corona virus . As OK chief Toshiro Muto explained on Wednesday, the traditional torch relay , an elementary part of the Olympic Games , may be shortened. "We have no intention of canceling it," said the 76-year-old: "But we will consider how we can do it without spreading the virus further. This includes reducing the scope."

2020 Olympic Games in Japan: torch relay is under an emotional motif

The torch is set to begin its journey through Japan on March 26th. The starting point is Fukushima Prefecture , where the tsunami and nuclear disaster occurred in March 2011 with more than 18,000 fatalities. The run under the motto " Hope illuminates our way " should lead through all 47 prefectures of the country according to the original plans.

2020 Olympic Games: Transfer or cancellation not an option

Muto again emphasized that relocating or even canceling the games * was not an option . "Our basic idea is to run the Olympic Games and the Paralympics as planned. We assume that," said the former banker. Japan is particularly affected by the corona virus. Around 850 people are infected, most of them on a British cruise ship in the port of Yokohama. So far there have been four fatalities.

Japan: German specialist advises against trips to the Olympic region

The leading German Olympic doctor Dr. Bernd Wolfarth as well as in other risk areas. On the homepage of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), the doctor classified China, especially South Korea with currently around 1200 cases of infection, and Italy (approx. 350) as "particularly worrying". In addition to Japan, Wolfarth also mentioned Singapore (approx. 90 cases) and Iran (approx. 100 cases and "probably a high number of unreported cases") as risk countries.

According to Wolfarth, "there are a number of reasons for currently stopping competitions and training camps in these areas . Not only because of the health risks, which in some cases still seem manageable, but above all because of numerous logistical problems and completely unclear return travel options or Quarantine risks . " Travelers from these areas should expect to be quarantined in the destination countries

Corona virus in Japan: German national coach worried

The progressive spread of the virus in Europe also preoccupies soccer coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg before the Algarve Cup in Portugal (March 4 to 11). It is clearly an issue, "our doctors are in an exchange. We have to wait for the topicality," said "MVT". This applies in particular to the U20 selection, which is to go on an international trip to Japan in early March.

UEFA vice-president Michele Uva has ruled out further cancellations of international matches for the time being. This will only happen "if the situation really gets out of control ," said Uva in an interview with RAI Sport .

Motorsport suffers from Coronavirues: one race canceled, several on the brink

In Formula 1 , after the cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix, other races are apparently increasingly being put to the test. The World Automobile Federation (FIA) said on Wednesday "to continue to closely monitor the situation in consultation with the relevant authorities and local member clubs, to evaluate the calendar of the upcoming races and, if necessary, to take any measures necessary to To protect the community and the public. " This is particularly true for Vietnam, where the third race of the season is scheduled to take place in Hanoi on April 5. The German private broadcaster RTL has already taken drastic measures.

Coronavirus in sports: Cancellations hail because of the risk of infection

Meanwhile, there were further cancellations in sports on Wednesday. The German Open in Badminton from March 2 to 8 in Mülheim / Ruhr will not take place on the recommendation of the local health authority. Also due to the dangers for athletes and spectators , the international ice skating association ISU canceled the short track world championships planned for mid-March in South Korea's capital Seoul. It has not yet been determined whether it will be rescheduled or relocated.

In addition, the six-nation game scheduled for March 7 in Dublin between the rugby teams of hosts Ireland and Italy will not take place. The cancellation is intended to prevent the spread of the virus by incoming Italian fans.

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