Olympic chief ‘worried’ coronavirus could affect momentum of Games

THE chief executive of the Tokyo Olympic Games organising committee, Toshiro Muto, is “seriously worried” the outbreak of the coronavirus in China could “throw cold water on the momentum towards the Games”.

Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo this week, less than six months out from the Games, Muto said: “I hope that it will be stamped out as soon as possible.”

A taskforce, headed by Muto, has been set up by officials to ensure those travelling to the Games as spectators or athletes feel safe. “We need to make sure the public, the athletes and the stakeholders feel safe and secure. We have to be objective and cool-headed as we don’t want to instigate a sense of fear,” he told local newspapers in Japan.

Speaking at a parliamentary meeting on Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated confidently that the Games would proceed as planned. “We will take appropriate measures so that the preparation for the Olympic Games will proceed without affecting them,” Abe said.

The virus, which broke out in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December, has infected close to 28,000 people across 25 countries and the death toll in China has risen to 600.

The Longines Masters of Hong Kong has fallen victim to the outbreak with organisers announcing its cancellation last week. The five-star show, at which Denis Lynch won the $400,000 Grand Prix in 2019, was due to take place from February 13th to 16th at the AsiaWorld Expo in Hong Kong, as part of Asia Horse Week. The first edition of the Asian Arabian Horse Show has also been cancelled.

The fourth leg of the 2020 Global Champions Tour is due to take place in the city of Shanghai, on the east coast of China, from May 8th to 10th next.