The Tokyo Olympic Games and the Risk of COVID-19

Abstract

Purpose of Review We reviewed the occurrence of outbreaks at past Olympics and discuss the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic at the Tokyo Games. Recent Findings Evidence for large respiratory tract infection outbreaks at past Olympics is scant. Nevertheless, in order to control the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were postponed for 2021. Given the high contagiousness of the disease and the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Japan, this decision was appropriate and important in order to safeguard athletes and the public. However, it is a major problem for Japan, involving massive financial losses and a lost opportunity for athletes, coaches, and instructors. Summary Up-to-date epidemiological data is needed on which to base an appropriate decision regarding the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. The actual effect of cancellations of such events in reducing the spread of COVID-19 needs to be determined.

Are elite track and field athletes on track? The impact of COVID-19 outbreak on sleep behavior and training characteristics

“…In December 2019, a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in China and the virus outbreak has spread rapidly and widely through-out the world [ 1 ]. In January 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a new disease, renamed Covid-19, to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and, in March 2020, the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 as a pandemic [ 2 ].…”

“…The world of professional sport experienced an unknown and extreme situation due to the Covid-19 outbreak and all competitions were postponed with any organized training or practice banned or severely limited during the first phase of the virus spread [ 12 ]. The health of spectators, athletes and coaches became a priority and the major regional, national and international competitions, such as the Olympic Games in Tokyo, were canceled [ 1 , 12 ]. International-caliber elite athletes need to preserve an optimal psychophysical condition during the entire competitive season.…”

Traditional Gender Differences Create Gaps in the Effect of COVID-19 on Psychological Distress of Japanese Workers

“…In addition, the pandemic has clearly placed strains on relationships [11,12], to which the government response has been insufficient [13]. To maintain social distancing, face-toface interactions have been discouraged, and many cultural events, including the Tokyo Olympics, were cancelled or delayed [14]. Furthermore, stigma against infected people is a Int.…”

The COVID-19 athlete passport: a tool for managing athlete COVID-19 status surrounding the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games

“…COVID-19 has strongly impacted sporting participation at all levels of competition, with many large-scale events postponed or even canceled. Mass gatherings at sporting events have also been severely restricted [1]; such gatherings are a known source of infectious disease transmission, with the potential for global spread upon return to home country [2]. Moreover, it has been previously reported from the 2018 Winter Olympics that infectious diseases, in particular respiratory tract infections, may spread readily within the same sporting discipline or team [2].…”