Tokyo Olympics torch relay to go on in Japan despite COVID-19 concerns - Sportsnet.ca

The Olympic flame, which is due to arrive on Friday from Greece, is scheduled to navigate the country for four months from March 26 until the planned opening of the Olympics on July 24 at the national stadium in Tokyo.

Organizing committee CEO Toshiro Muto said Tuesday that crowds will be allowed to gather on the roadside to watch the relay. The first leg begins in northern Fukushima prefecture, which was devastated in 2011 by an earthquake, tsunami and the meltdown of three nuclear reactors.“We’d like to ask people who are feeling unwell to refrain from being on the roadside,” Muto said, speaking through an interpreter. “We would also like to ask people to avoid crowds when cheering along the road.

He said it was difficult to define what constitutes too many people. Speaking in a room with about 100 reporters, Muto was asked if this was too many.The torch relay in Greece last week was called off on the second day because crowds were too large.“In many ways and many forms people are asking us the same question,” Muto said. “Our stance is, as scheduled, the Olympics are going to take place in a safe and secure manner.

The torch relay is heavily sponsored by Coca-Cola and Japanese car maker Toyota, which pay millions of dollars as some of the International Olympic Committee’s top sponsors. They are sure to lose exposure during the relay, and Muto was asked if sponsors were concerned about economic damage. “We have not talked about the topic with sponsor partners,” Muto said, “and our partners have not approached us about the topic, either.”

Ridiculous...that is a priority for them?

The IOC Is The Death Row Records Of Sports.

Really, that’s like sightseeing around an active volcano. “Look kids, see the molten lava” COVID2019 Coronavirustoronto coronavirus

dumb. nobody cares.

Are athletes going to paddle there way in a canoe

cannot and will not go ahead

Brave choice but the games will go on

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Canadian wrestlers Jordie Steen and Amar Dhesi qualify for upcoming Tokyo Olympics - TSN.caCanadian wrestlers Jordie Steen and Amar Dhesi qualified for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics on Sunday following their semifinal victories at the Pan-American Olympic Qualification Tournament. What are the odds that the Tokyo Olympics happen this year?
Source: TSN_Sports - 🏆 80. / 51 Read more »

Canadian athletes left in qualifying limbo ahead of Tokyo Olympics - Sportsnet.caWith the Olympics still over four months away, the Tokyo organizing committee and the International Olympic Committee insist the Games will open July 24. While that's heartening to Canadian athletes who have already qualified to be part of Team Canada in Tokyo, dozens have been thrown into qualification limbo.
Source: Sportsnet - 🏆 57. / 59 Read more »

NHL roster freeze to take effect Monday amid 2019-20 season pause - Sportsnet.caWith the current NHL campaign paused amid concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, the league's rosters will be frozen as of 5 p.m. ET Monday, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
Source: Sportsnet - 🏆 57. / 59 Read more »

Report: Kentucky Derby moving to September due to COVID-19 - Sportsnet.caThe Kentucky Derby will reportedly not run on the first weekend of May for the first time since 1945, according to the Louisville Courier Journal. The race is now expected to be held on Sept. 5. UPDATE: the Kentucky Derby has been officially postponed until Sept. 5.
Source: Sportsnet - 🏆 57. / 59 Read more »

Blues establish fund to help employees impacted by COVID-19 shutdown - Sportsnet.caDonations to the fund will come from owner Tom Stillman and all Blues players. It also includes a $100,000 donation from season-ticket holder Andy Frisella.
Source: Sportsnet - 🏆 57. / 59 Read more »

NBA COVID-19 Roundup: Season's return in June the 'best-case scenario' - Sportsnet.caLike everyone else, the basketball world is trying to navigate the rapidly changing waters of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's a look at the latest happenings around the coronavirus and its impact on the NBA and basketball as a whole.
Source: Sportsnet - 🏆 57. / 59 Read more »