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Olympic Official Dick Pound Says Tokyo Games Could Be Cancelled Because Of Coronavirus

Olympic Official Dick Pound Says Tokyo Games Could Be Cancelled Because Of Coronavirus

A decision could be made on the Games as late as May.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

The longest serving member of the International Olympic Committee says they could cancel the 2020 Tokyo Games over the coronavirus.

Dick Pound says the IOC is intensely watching the spread of COVID-19 and the effect it is having in Japan.

The Tokyo Olympic Games are due to kick off in July. However, if the country continues to experience more outbreaks, it could put athletes, their teams, spectators and anyone else visiting Japan in danger of becoming infected.

Speaking to the Associated Press, Mr Pound, who has been with the IOC since 1978, said they still have some time before an official decision is needed.

Dick Pound.
PA

"You could certainly go to two months out if you had to," Pound told AP. "A lot of things have to start happening. You've got to start ramping up your security, your food, the Olympic Village, the hotels. The media folks will be in there building their studios.

"This is the new war and you have to face it. In and around that time, I'd say folks are going to have to ask: 'Is this under sufficient control that we can be confident about going to Tokyo, or not?'"

When asked what would happen if Japan couldn't get on top of the outbreak, Dick Pound said 'you're probably looking at a cancellation'.

PA

There have been almost 200 cases of coronavirus in Japan and seven deaths on or just offshore. A large majority of those cases from cruise ship passengers that were quarantined on the Diamond Princess.

The New York Times says the country is struggling to fill the demand of face masks, disinfectant and test kits and there is a lack of medical professionals who can do the tests on potential patients.

There is a clause in the International Olympic Committee that would warrant the games being cancelled if outbreaks in Japan don't subside.

PA

In section 66, there is a 'Termination of Contract' statement, which says the Games could be called off if 'the Host Country is at any time, whether before the Opening Ceremony or during the Games, in a state of war, civil disorder, boycott, embargo decreed by the international community or in a situation officially recognised as one of belligerence or if the IOC has reasonable grounds to believe, in its sole discretion, that the safety of participants in the Games would be seriously threatened or jeopardised for any reason'.

ABC notes that while the clause doesn't specifically mention health, it does identify safety as a key concern.

Despite all this, IOC official Dick Pound says, at the moment, the Olympics is still very much on and has told athletes to keep training.

"As far as we all know you're going to be in Tokyo," Pound said. "All indications are at this stage that it will be business as usual. So keep focused on your sport and be sure that the IOC is not going to send you into a pandemic situation."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, coronavirus