Tokyo Olympics need to ‘be urgently reconsidered’ as Japan braces for next COVID wave

The Japanese government must reconsider the intention to open the Olympic games this summer, said an article in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). Due to the rising numbers of new COVID cases, the international sports event looks dangerous, the experts warn.

While the 2020 Olympics were delayed by one year, are due to begin in fewer than 100 days. However, the situation with the coronavirus remains unpredictable. Japan’s inability to contain the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted scientists to urge organisers to call it off due to the fourth wave of COVID-19.

The Olympics in Tokyo this summer “must be urgently reconsidered”, health experts have warned. Japan has exhibited “poor performance” in containing virus transmission, along with limited testing capacity and a slow vaccination rollout.

The warning comes after a poll showed 70% of Japanese people do not want the Summer OG to go ahead, even though organisers remain committed to holding them – only without foreign spectators.