A top Japanese virologist warns of the risks of the Tokyo Games during a pandemic paper

Japan’s top virologist and government adviser has warned of the risks of spreading COVID-19 infections during the Tokyo Olympics, the Times of London announced on Tuesday, the latest high-level warning about the World Sports Show.

Professor Hiroshi Oshitani of Tohoku University was the pandemic architect of the Japanese “Three Cs” approach, advising to avoid enclosed spaces, crowds and close contact situations.

The government and the organizing committee, including the IOC (International Olympic Committee), say they consistently hold safe Olympics. But everyone knows there is a risk. It is completely impossible to hold the Olympics without risk … about the spread of infections in Japan and also in other countries after the Olympics, ”the Times quoted Oshitan as saying to the newspaper.

“There are several countries where there are not many cases, and many where there are no variations. We should not do at the Olympics (the opportunity) to spread the virus to these countries,” he added, noting that most countries lack vaccines. .

Already postponed from last year due to the pandemic, a scaled-down version of the games without foreign viewers is scheduled to launch on July 23, despite public fears that the event could spread the coronavirus and drain medical resources.

Japan has not suffered from an explosive outbreak seen elsewhere, but has registered nearly 760,000 cases and more than 13,500 deaths. Tokyo and other areas are in a state of emergency after the fourth wave, which is straining hospitals.

Shigeru Omi, the government’s top medical adviser, said last week that medical experts were planning a statement on the games by June 20, when the state of emergency is set to be lifted.

The union on the north island of Hokkaido, which is hosting the Olympic marathon, appealed to the Monday on Monday and demanded the cancellation of the games, media reported.

Kaori Yamaguchi, a board member of the Japan Olympic Committee, a judo bronze medalist at the 1988 Games, said Friday that Japan had been “pushed” forward in taking the games forward. Read more

The Japanese audience is still divided on the organization of the games, although the opposition seems to be easing somewhat. A poll by broadcaster TBS this week showed that 55% wanted games to be postponed or canceled – 10 points less than last month.

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