Olympics Will Be Cancelled If Pandemic Not Over
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NF L | Page 3 F1 | Page 5 Patriots I miss racing fullback every day, says Develin champion retires Hamilton Wednesday, April 29, 2020 FOOTBALL Ramadan 6, 1441 AH French football, GULF TIMES rugby seasons off until September: PM SPORT Page 2 SPOTLIGHT Olympics will be cancelled if pandemic not over: Games chief A Tokyo 2020 spokesman declined to comment on a possible Japan must keep state of emergency, 2021 cancellation of the Games and told reporters that Mori’s remarks were based on ‘the chairman’s own thoughts’ Olympics ‘difficult,’ top doctor says Tokyo: It is too early to consider its lowest in four weeks. 2021, Tokyo 2020 president, Yo- lifting Japan’s state of emergen- The national tally stands at shiro Mori, said in an interview cy over the novel coronavirus, 13,614 infections, including 394 published yesterday, the head of a powerful physi- deaths, according to NHK. That Since emerging in China late cians’ lobby said yesterday, add- tally is still low compared to last year, the pandemic has ing Tokyo would find it tough other nations, but critics say Ja- infected almost 3mn people to host next year’s Olympics pan is not doing enough testing worldwide and killed more than without an effective vaccine. to reveal the scope of a problem 200,000, raising expectations The comments by the Japan that has driven some hospitals of a prolonged battle to contain Medical Association (JMA) chief to the brink. the novel coronavirus. highlight concerns over the Yokokura blamed a lack of Several nations’ laboratories pandemic that prompted Prime protective clothing for the are working to find protective Minister Shinzo Abe to call the spread of the virus in hospitals, vaccines and drugs for the nationwide emergency which and urged the government to disease, but it could be many is due to end on May 6. Japan help speed development of months before they become is keeping a close watch on treatments and vaccines to widely available due to the need virus-related data to decide on preserve any hope of holding for exhaustive clinical trials of an extension beyond May 6, the the Olympics next year. their effectiveness and safety. economy minister said. “I am not saying that Japan Japan could approve Gilead While new daily infections should or shouldn’t host the Sciences Inc’s virus treatment have declined, testing is still Olympics, but that it would remdesivir as early as May, the not sufficient to prove that be difficult to do so,” he said. Yomiuri newspaper said. Fujire- contagion is under control, JMA “Unless an effective vaccine is bio, a subsidiary of diagnostics president Yoshitake Yokokura developed, I expect hosting the and laboratory testing service told a media briefing. “I do not Olympics will be difficult.” provider Miraca Holdings, believe it will be possible to lift The announcement last sought government approval on (the state of emergency) across month of a one-year delay in Monday for Japan’s first antigen the whole country at this stage,” the 2020 Olympic Games was a virus testing kits. Yokokura added. Tokyo con- major blow for Japan, which has Miraca shares surged 4.4% in firmed 112 new infections yester- spent $13bn on preparations. Tokyo trading, outperforming a day, said national broadcaster The Games would be “scrapped” drop of 0.1% in the benchmark A man wearing a protective face mask jogs past a wall which depicts the mascot for the 2020 Olympics, which were postponed to 2021 due to NHK, up from 39 a day earlier, if they could not take place in index. the spread of the coronavirus disease, in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. (Reuters) AFP demic remains a threat next year, reply- that he was “very pessimistic” that with the final pricetag for the delay still Tokyo ing: “No.” the postponed Olympics can be held unclear. In the interview, Mori said or- “In that case, it’s cancelled,” Mori in 2021. “To be honest with you I don’t ganisers were considering holding joint said. He noted the Games had been think the Olympics is likely to be held opening and closing ceremonies for the he postponed Tokyo 2020 Ol- cancelled previously only during war- next year,” said Kentaro Iwata, a profes- Olympics and the Paralympics in an ef- ympics will have to be can- time, and compared the battle against sor of infectious diseases at Kobe Uni- fort to cut costs. celled if the coronavirus pan- coronavirus to “fighting an invis- versity. Under the plan, the Paralympics Tdemic isn’t brought under ible enemy”. If the virus is successfully “Japan might be able to control this would join the Olympic opening cer- control by next year, the organising contained, “we’ll hold the Olympics in disease by next summer, I wish we emony on July 23, and the Olympic committee’s president warned, ruling peace next summer”, he added. “Man- could, but I don’t think that would closing ceremony would be integrated out further delays. kind is betting on it.” happen everywhere on Earth, so in this into the Paralympics closing event in The comments, in an interview Masa Takaya, a Tokyo 2020 spokes- regard I’m very pessimistic about hold- September. But Mori admitted that To- with a Japanese sports daily published man, declined to comment on a pos- ing the Olympic Games next summer,” kyo organisers had not yet obtained the yesterday, come as medical experts sible cancellation of the Games and he said. consent of the IOC and their Paralym- doubted whether the pandemic can be told reporters that Mori’s remarks But Tokyo 2020 spokesman Takaya pic counterparts. sufficiently contained by next year to were based on “the chairman’s own countered that even medical experts “It’s going to be a considerable cut hold an event drawing participants and thoughts”. But the comments will add said it was too early to make a judge- in costs and a big message of victory spectators from around the world. to growing questions about the post- ment on such a possibility. Japanese of- against the global crisis, but it’s not The pandemic has already forced a ponement, decided last month after ficials and the IOC have said the Games easy,” Mori said. Organisers have said year-long delay of the Games, which heavy pressure on the organisers and Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori. (AFP) will be a chance to celebrate victory the question of who will shoulder the are now scheduled to open on July 23, the International Olympic Committee over the virus, with some suggestions additional costs is yet to be resolved, 2021. But Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro from athletes and sports federations. Games next year if a vaccine has not ra told reporters. that the pandemic fight could even be though Mori said the IOC should pay a Mori was categorical when asked by the Yesterday, the head of Japan Medi- been found. “I would not say that they And last week a Japanese medical incorporated into the opening ceremo- share. “We should make a decision af- Nikkan Sports daily whether the Games cal Association warned it would be should not be held, but it would be ex- expert who has criticised the country’s ny. Postponing the Games is an enor- ter both sides examine and fully under- could be delayed until 2022 if the pan- “exceedingly difficult” to hold the ceedingly difficult,” Yoshitake Yokoku- response to the coronavirus warned mous logistical and financial challenge, stand them,” he added. FOOTBALL Former Liverpool player-turned-commentator Michael Robinson dies at 61 AFP “We’re deeply saddened by the passing of cated his professional life to sports journalism, Madrid former player Michael Robinson, aged 61,” Liv- where his work on television, radio and in the erpool tweeted. “The thoughts of everybody at written press stood out, earning the affection Liverpool Football Club are with Michael’s fam- of all soccer and sports fans in general,” the club iverpool’s former Republic of Ireland ily and friends at this sad time. Rest in peace, added. Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League striker Michael Robinson, who became a Michael.” winner Luis Garcia tweeted: “RIP Michael Rob- well-known commentator in Spain, has Anfield hero Kenny Dalglish told the club’s inson. The Liverpool legend that got in all the Ldied aged 61, prompting an outpouring website: “First and foremost, Michael was a Spanish homes with his fantastic commentaries of tributes. Robinson, who settled in Spain af- good teammate to every one of us and he made every Weekend !! #YNWA.” ter his playing career and developed an award- an important contribution on and off the pitch, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said winning media career, succumbed to cancer none more so than during the 1983-84 season he had been a fan of Robinson. “He was with that was first diagnosed in 2018. when we were fortunate enough to win three us on thousands of afternoons of football, re- He passed away at his home in Marbella. trophies. He will be remembered with fondness counting incredible anecdotes, and showing us “With tremendous sadness we inform you of and affection.” a way of life beyond football,” said Sanchez. Michael’s death,” his family said in a Twitter After Liverpool, Robinson joined Queens Park In a sign of the mark he had made on Spanish message yesterday. “It leaves us with a great Rangers, before ending his career with Spanish society, the Madrid Municipal Police tweeted emptiness, but also countless memories, full of side Osasuna. He retired in 1989 but remained their own tribute. “We join in the condolences the same love that you have shown him.