The Japanese doctors’ association on Tuesday May 18, called for authorities and stakeholders to press the International Olympic Committee on cancellation of the olympic games, since hospitals are fully maxed and have almost no spare capacity.
The association, which represents about 6,000 primary care doctors, made the appeal amid a jump in infections that has resulted in a shortage of hospital beds in some parts of the Japanese capital and stoked alarm across the country.
A poll conducted on Monday 17 May, shows more than 80% of Japanese citizens oppose hosting the Olympics this year, with just under 10 weeks left until the Tokyo Games kick off.
The Summer Olympic games scheduled to start in late July is looking shakier. As Japan battles a surge in COVID-19 infections, public opinion remains strongly opposed to going ahead with the event, which was originally slated last year but was postponed because of the pandemic.
Tokyo has issued a state of emergency keeping strict COVID-19 restrictions that will last through at least the end of May. Meanwhile, Japan has been slow to roll out vaccines compared to other developed countries, with only about 3.5 percent of its population being vaccinated.
Despite rising skepticism on the spread of the virus which has led to mixed reactions of holding the event among stakeholders amid rising Covid-19 cases, the International Olympic Committee is still determined to conduct the “historic” games in Tokyo as planned.
Teams and athletes across the world have set their focus in the international show as they intensify their preparation for the event in July.
Some olympic organising bodies such as the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) in conjunction with the government have ensured that all its athletes have received the first Covid 19 vaccine and are yet to receive the second dosage soon before flying tonTokyo for the main event.
NOC-K has also provided its athletes with an adequate training facility where they embrace the bubble training format in preparing for the main task ahead.