Tokyo 2020 Olympics Faces Uncertainty amid Coronavirus Scare; Delay on the Cards?

New Delhi, March 12, 2020:

Tokyo city Governor, Yuriko Koike on Thursday said that World Health Organisation's (WHO) declaration of Coronavirus would impact the upcoming Tokyo Olympics 2020. This begs the question: is a delay on the cards?

Olympic Games, which are scheduled to be held from July 24 to August 9, are being questioned amid the serious damage made by the dreaded disease. Globally more than

1,18,000 cases have been reported to have tested positive. O we 4000 people died following the outbreak in 114 countries.

While speaking with media persons, Koike said, "It can't be said that the announcement of a pandemic would have no impact... But I think cancellation is unthinkable."

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The organisers of the Olympics have insisted on going ahead with the Gamesb as planned and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with whom the final decision rests, said there has not yet been any talk of cancellation or postponement.

Post the declaration of Coronavirus as pandemic, the IOC said it will coordinate closely with the WHO. It needs mention here that the Virus has taken a toll on the sports world across the globe, following rising death tolls and positive cases.

US basketball was hit, as the NBA said it would suspend play starting on Thursday after a Utah Jazz player preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19.

Italy suspended all sporting events including Serie A until April 3. Arsenal's game at Manchester City on Wednesday also became the first Premier League fixture to be called off due to the outbreak.

Meanwhile the Indian Premier League (IPL) slated to be played from March last week to mid-April has also been sought to be cancelled in the wake of Coronavirus outbreak in India. an advocate has filed a petition seeking its cancellation.

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