April 15, 2021
1 min read

Covid-19: Olympics may be cancelled

Nikai, said that cancelling the games may be an option if coronavirus infections rise…reports Asian Lite News

Secretary-General of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Toshihiro Nikai said Thursday that cancelling this year’s Tokyo Olympics could be an option if the Covid-19 situation continues to worsen.

Nikai, the No. 2 leader of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s ruling party, said in a TV show yet to be aired that cancelling the games may be an option if the spread of coronavirus infections forces organizers to think it would be difficult to hold the event.

His remarks came as the capital on Wednesday began a 100-day countdown until the beginning of the already postponed quadrennial event, with concerns rife that Covid-19 cases in and outside of Tokyo could be set to worsen.

Such is the severity of Japan’s rebounding Covid-19 infections that the head of the government’s Covid panel warned that Japan has entered a “fourth wave” of infections.

Shigeru Omi, an expert in infectious diseases who heads the government’s Covid-19 subcommittee, told a parliamentary session the previous day that the central government should broaden the areas currently subjected to stricter antiviral measures under a revised law.

Omi said the expansion should be undertaken by the government “in an extremely swift and nimble manner.”

On Monday, Tokyo, Kyoto and Okinawa prefectures were added to a list of regions where tougher virus measures have come into effect under a new law that falls short but is on the brink of declaring a state of emergency.

Also read:Kejriwal says Delhi to bid for 2048 Olympics

Previous Story

Equitable access to vaccines critical, says Jaishankar

Next Story

Low-cost air circulated PPE for Covid warriors

Latest from Sport

Rocky Joins Lions, Woakes Back

Headlining the selection is the return of veteran pacer Chris Woakes and the debut call-up for Rocky Flintoff, son of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. England Lions have announced a strong 14-member

MI Thrash DC, Book Playoff Berth

The five-time champions bounced back brilliantly with the ball, exploiting the conditions as Santner (3/11) and Bumrah (3/12) dismantled Delhi Capitals for 121 in 18.2 overs, sealing a dominant 59-run win…reports Asian

Moeen Misses King Kohli

Moeen noted that the missing presence of Kohli and Rohit Sharma is a huge setback for the visitors, offering a timely boost to the hosts. Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali believes Virat

Kohli Bids Adieu to Test Cricket

Kohli and Rohit retire within a week, leaving India’s Test batting short on experience….reports Asian Lite News Indian cricket legend and former captain Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Omicron Spreads to 22 Countries in Africa

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed

Covid-19 is airborne, CDC confirms

From beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, researchers have argued that