Japan scientist ‘very pessimistic’ of 2021 Olympics

The chances of the Olympics going ahead in 2021 are looking less likely according to a leading scientist in Japan.

Japan.- The chances of the Olympics going ahead in 2021 are looking less likely according to a leading scientist in Japan.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics was postponed to July of next year due to the Coronavirus pandemic that has swept the planet and wiped out most global sporting events.

Professor of infectious diseases at Kobe University, Kentaro Iwata, said: “Holding the Olympics needs two conditions: One, controlling Covid-19 in Japan, and controlling Covid-19 everywhere.

“I am very pessimistic about holding the Olympic Games next summer unless you hold the Olympic Games in a totally different structure such as no audience, or a very limited participation.

“You have to invite so many athletes from many, many places, which is not very compatible with this Covid-19 infection that is causing a pandemic.

“Japan might be able to control this disease by next summer. And I wish we could. But I don’t think that will happen everywhere on earth.”

At the time of cancellation, cases of Covid-19 in Japan were relatively low compared to many of their Asian neighbours, but a surge in cases in recent weeks has seen their numbers increase dramatically.

Cases are spiking, particularly in Tokyo and other large cities. As of Monday (April 20th), there were an estimated 12,000 known infections in the country and around 250 deaths.