Coronavirus: Will the Tokyo Olympics get to its start line?

A May deadline to decide whether the Games will go on is the most realistic option

Japanese actress Satomi Ishihara, an official ambassador for the Games runs with the Olympic torch during a rehearsal in Tokyo. Japan is pulling out all the stops to make sure her rehearsal will not prove futile. PHOTO: REUTERS
Japanese actress Satomi Ishihara, an official ambassador for the Games runs with the Olympic torch during a rehearsal in Tokyo. Japan is pulling out all the stops to make sure her rehearsal will not prove futile. PHOTO: REUTERS
The pool at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, the would-be venue for swimming events for this year’s Olympics. Swimmers have expressed their dismay at the prospect of the Games being called off, should the ill effects of the coronavirus outbreak persist.
The pool at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, the would-be venue for swimming events for this year’s Olympics. Swimmers have expressed their dismay at the prospect of the Games being called off, should the ill effects of the coronavirus outbreak persist. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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Updated
Published
March 2, 2020 at 5:00 AM
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As the coronavirus continues to spread and wreak havoc on the international sporting calendar, there are fears that the July 24-Aug 9 Tokyo Olympics could be the biggest casualty yet.

With almost 1,000 cases and 12 deaths, including those on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked at Yokohama, Japan has called for a two-week break of public events across the country. Schools have also closed in a bid to halt the Covid-19 outbreak.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 02, 2020, with the headline Coronavirus: Will the Tokyo Olympics get to its start line?. Subscribe

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MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2023 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

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