Official: Olympic Games Could Still Be Canceled If Covid Surges
In a news conference Tuesday, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto admitted there is a possibility the Games could be yet canceled because of the unpredictability of covid. WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the risk of the Games spreading the virus was inevitable.
ABC News:
Tokyo Olympics Leader Doesn't Rule Out Canceling Games At Last Minute
The chief of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee addressed concerns of rising COVID-19 cases during a press conference on Tuesday and did not rule out the possibility of a last-minute cancellation of the games. “We can't predict what will happen with the number of coronavirus cases. So we will continue discussions if there is a spike in cases. I think that is all I can say at this juncture,” said Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto, in a response translated from Japanese. (Yamada, 7/20)
AP:
WHO Leader Says Virus Risk Inevitable At Tokyo Olympics
The Tokyo Olympics should not be judged by the tally of COVID-19 cases that arise because eliminating risk is impossible, the head of the World Health Organization told sports officials Wednesday as events began in Japan. How infections are handled is what matters most, WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a speech to an International Olympic Committee meeting. “The mark of success is making sure that any cases are identified, isolated, traced and cared for as quickly as possible and onward transmission is interrupted,” he said. (Dunbar, 7/21)
The Washington Post:
What Happens If An Olympic Athlete Tests Positive For Coronavirus? Covid-19 Rules, Explained.
With events now underway, Tokyo 2020 organizers and national Olympic committees will have to balance concerns about individuals’ well-being with preserving the integrity of medal competitions for which athletes have spent years preparing. Here’s an overview of the protocols an athlete must follow if they test positive for the coronavirus and how their team or individual competition proceeds in the meantime. (Wallace, 7/20)
Bloomberg:
Olympics Covid Measures Tested By South Africa Soccer Team Cases
The Tokyo Olympics is facing the first major test of its Covid protocols, after three people linked to the South African men’s soccer team tested positive for the coronavirus and put into jeopardy its match against Japan scheduled the day before the opening ceremony. Two players and one video analyst from the South African side have tested positive, and 18 others from the delegation who had been in close contact are in isolation. South Africa now has to put together a squad of at least 13 people who can clear health protocols for Thursday’s match. (Herskovitz, 7/21)
Reuters:
Factbox: Coronavirus Cases At The Tokyo Olympics
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, is being held under unprecedented conditions including tight quarantine rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19.A number of cases have emerged among athletes and other people involved with the Games already, however. Following is a list of cases, with the latest first. (7/21)
In other news —
Becker's Hospital Review:
Olympian Encourages Women To Get Early Screenings In Ascension's Latest Campaign
Seven-time Olympic medalist Shannon Miller shares her journey through cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery in St. Louis-based Ascension's most recent marketing campaign. In 2011, the then 33-year-old gymnast was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after a routine screening that she almost delayed. After receiving care at Ascension, Ms. Miller — who is now 10 years cancer-free — teamed up with the health system to help ensure other women catch diagnoses before it's too late. (Adams, 7/20)
