This article is 4 years old

Summer Olympics Risk Cancellation

Sports

In Wuhan, China, a new virus called COVID-19 — commonly referred to as coronavirus — has caused much confusion among doctors and scientists. Since that time, the disease has spread to much of the world, including Japan, the host of the 2020 Olympic games. The Center for Disease Control has placed Japan on level two warnings for coronavirus. This enhanced level of precaution needed in Japan has left many speculating about the viability of holding games in Japan. Indeed, one measure for restricting the spread of coronavirus is to avoid large crowds, something that is impossible in the Olympic games.

The International Olympic Committee and Japanese officials, however, seem to be unfazed by these suggestions. They say it’s unlikely the regular schedule of the games will be changed. This may stem from the inability of the Olympic committees to either postpone the events or switch locations.

Given the wide variety of games, it seems unlikely that any sports facility could accommodate the Olympic games on such short notice. This is not to mention the extensive city planning and accommodation needed to accommodate fans that flock to the games.

If Japan is unable to host the games, this would be the only time the games have been canceled in peacetime. Previously, they were only canceled in 1916, 1940, and 1944, for both World Wars.

While panic leads people to desire the canceling of events that require a large number of people to be in one place, public health officials often agree that these concerns are overblown. Students nearby, both from the University of California, Berkeley and Berkeley High School, signed a petition to demand the cancelation of schools to prevent the spread of the virus.

While panic leads people to desire the canceling of events that require a large number of people to be in one place, public health officials often agree that these concerns are overblown. Students nearby, both from the University of California, Berkeley and Berkeley High School, signed a petition to demand the cancelation of schools to prevent the spread of the virus.