Japanese professor of infectious diseases Kentaro Iwata said today that he is pessimistic and does not believe that the Olympic Games in Tokyo will be held in 15 months.
"To be honest, I don't think the Olympics will be held next year. Two conditions are needed to hold the Games - that the coronavirus is under control in Japan and that the coronavirus is under control everywhere in the world," said Iwata, a professor at Kobe University.
Olympic Games Organizing Committee Executive Director Toshiro Muto expressed similar reservations ten days ago. After that, the organizing committee and the International Olympic Committee said there was no "plan B" other than to prepare for the Games, which are scheduled to start on July 23, 2021.
"I am very pessimistic about the Olympic Games being held, unless they are held in a completely different structure - without an audience or with very limited participation," Iwata said.
"You have to invite a lot of athletes from different countries, which is not very compatible with this virus. Japan could control this disease by next summer. I wish we could, but I don't think that will be the case everywhere on Earth," he added.
In Japan, there are about 12.000 cases of infection with the coronavirus, while about 250 people have died.
A professor at the University of Edinburgh, Devi Sridar, told the BBC that holding the Games is possible if a vaccine for the coronavirus is found.
"If we get a vaccine within the next year, then I actually think holding the Olympics is realistic. The vaccine will be a game changer. If that doesn't happen, then it's unrealistic to expect the Games to take place," she said.
Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Ali Khan told the AP that it is possible to continue as planned without a vaccine.
"15 months is enough for public health to tackle the problem even without a vaccine or a cure," he said, suggesting that the creativity of the "medical-industrial complex" would solve the problem.
He also said that it might be necessary to re-examine the Olympic Games in terms of "venues, athletes and spectators".
11.000 athletes participate in the Olympic Games, along with another 4.400 Paralympians - and all athletes have numerous coaches and teams. In addition, the Olympic Games attract thousands of fans from all over the world.
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