World
Virus’s Spread Puts a Question Mark Over Tokyo Olympics
- IOC, Japan government say Olympics to go ahead as planned
- But some worry the outbreak could force a cancellation
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The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are less than five months away -- or, in coronavirus time, somewhere between six and 10 incubation periods. Even as organizers at every level insist the games aren’t at risk, the rapid spread of covid-19 cases in Japan is already casting a chill over the event.
Critics of the government’s response to the outbreak question whether Japan is ready to handle an influx of spectators, athletes and coaches from around the world. While the International Olympic Committee and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have said the games, scheduled to start July 24, will take place as planned, analysts are starting to map out the economic and political repercussions of a cancellation or delay.