Olympics Officials Discuss Holding Summer 2020 Games Without Spectators Amid Coronavirus Fears

Medical officers from various sports federations which run the Olympics have discussed with the World Health Organization the possibility of holding the 2020 summer Olympics without spectators.

In a conference call that took place last week, officials brought up a worst-case scenario in which the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak would threaten the health of thousands of spectators expected to fill stadiums at the games in Tokyo, Japan, the New York Times reported on Thursday. If spectators are permitted, medical officials would have to create a screening process to check fans and athletes to detect and prevent the spread of coronavirus. . .

Japan Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto has insisted that the country will go forward with the Olympics this summer. Tokyo’s contract with the International Olympic Committee states that the IOC reserves the right to cancel the event if “the safety of participants in the Games would be seriously threatened or jeopardized for any reason whatsoever.” (Read more from “Olympics Officials Discuss Holding Summer 2020 Games Without Spectators Amid Coronavirus Fears” HERE)

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