Despite the corona pandemic, tens of thousands flock to the Olympic flame - a queue of 500 meters

The corona virus has far-reaching consequences for sport. How does the new disease affect the 2020 Summer Olympics? All information in the news ticker.

• The corona virus has far-reaching effects on the sports world.
• The Summer Olympics were supposed to take place in summer .
• But can the games in Tokyo be held at all? All information in the news ticker.

March 22 update: In Japan, despite the corona pandemic, tens of thousands celebrated the Olympic flame. More than 50,000 people are said to have flocked to Sendai Station in Miyagi Prefecture to admire the flame that was shown in a golden cauldron.

According to Japanese media reports, the queue was sometimes 500 meters long. Some visitors waited for hours to see the fire. Many visitors wore respirators. The Olympic flame had arrived in Japan on Friday.

15:09: Due to the corona virus , the Greek Olympic Committee has stopped the transmission of the Olympic torch on Greek soil. Despite all the calls from the authorities, too many people had arrived in Sparta on Friday to hand over the flame , after which all other stages of the traditional torch relay were canceled, the committee said.

A large crowd had previously besieged Hollywood star Gerard Butler while lighting the flame bowl in Sparta. According to the committee, the flame will be handed over to a delegation from Tokyo at the Panathinaikon stadium in Athens on March 19, as planned - but without a spectator.

Thomas Bach reaffirmed its adherence to the games on Thursday. "We are fully committed to the success of the Olympic Games with the opening ceremony on July 24th," said the IOC President in the ARD daily topics.

Coronavirus: Olympia 2020 in danger? Japan counters Trump's proposal

Update of March 13, 7:23 p.m .: Members of the Japanese government on Friday gave a clear rejection of the suggestion made by US President Donald Trump to allow the 2020 Olympic Games to take place without spectators. Trump proposed both a one-year shift and "ghost games" on Thursday night (local time).

"I am aware of President Trump's statements, but neither the IOC nor the Organizing Committee are considering postponing or canceling the games," said Japan's Sports Minister Hashimoto at a press conference Friday morning. She also declined to reduce the number of viewers: "We absolutely don't think about it."

Also read: Coronavirus in handball: DHB team in quarantine - IOC wants to box Olympics

Olympia: Coronavirus cancellation? Japan makes a clear statement

Government spokesman Yoshihide Suga reaffirmed that there were no changes in government policy. In close cooperation with the IOC , the organizing committee and the local authorities in Tokyo , preparations will continue to be made to "hold the games as planned".

A phone call between Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took place late Thursday evening, after which the US President rowed meekly. "I just had a great conversation with Abe. I told him that the Olympic sports venues are fantastic. He did an incredible job. Good things are going to happen for Japan and its great prime minister, ” Trump said a few hours after he said of a move.

Just had a great conversation with Prime Minister Abe of Japan. I told him that the just completed Olympic venue is magnificent. He has done an incredible job, one that will make him very proud. Good things will happen for Japan and their great Prime Minister. Lots of options!

The Summer Games should "maybe" be postponed by a year, Trump said in the White House. That would be a "shame", but he prefers to postpone the mega event "empty stadiums".

Corona virus and sport: can Olympia 2020 take place at all? Responsible "seriously concerned"

First report from March 12 : Munich - The rampant corona virus has now also got a grip on sport. In view of the growing number of infected professional athletes, games under committee from the public or the complete abandonment of competitions, it is clear that the actually so full sports year 2020, may not take place in this form. How vulnerable are the Summer Olympics in Tokyo *?

Olympia 2020: Cancellation due to corona virus? IOC builds on "trust"

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the International Olympic Committee IOC continues to assume that the Tokyo Olympic Games can go ahead as scheduled from July 24th to August 9th .

The world is facing challenges that affect sports, and the IOC has recognized the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic, "but 19 weeks before the opening ceremony, we are confident that the many measures currently being taken by authorities around the world “It said in an IOC statement on Thursday. The IOC around President Thomas Bach and the organizers in Tokyo are fully on schedule with the preparations .

Olympia 2020 / Coronavirus: head of organization "seriously concerned"

Organization boss Toshiro Muto recently raised alarming tones that he was "seriously concerned that the spread of the infectious disease could put a damper on the games." Another argument in favor of a cancellation is that many qualification tournaments have been postponed or canceled to date.

The IOC works with broadcasters and sponsors to “address the current situation” and is in close contact with the World Health Organization, the host city of Tokyo, the Japanese government and the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee.

Olympia 2020: worry about coronavirus - opening ceremony without spectators

The fire for the Tokyo Games had been lit on Thursday in private in ancient Olympia.

The official ceremony took place under public committee.

© AFP / ARIS MESSINIS

Due to the outbreak of the corona virus, only 100 guests were invited, the majority of whom were IOC members. Originally, more than 700 guests were expected.

As of now, those responsible still seem to be planning with the event, but how quickly this impression can change does not seem to be really foreseeable at the moment. The IOC may also be based on the Uefa and the European Championship 2020, which could also be canceled due to the corona virus.

* tz.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.

as / dpa

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