World
Shadow Hangs Over Olympics Once More With Japan Virus Surge
- Games would likely be canceled if not held in summer
- Resumption of sports around the world provides model
The fate of Tokyo’s postponed Olympics is once again mired in doubt after Japan declared a second state of emergency for metropolitan areas as Covid-19 cases soar to new levels.
Japan is one of several countries where the virus has made a comeback in winter months with Tokyo finding a record 2,447 cases last Thursday. The discovery of a new and possibly more infectious strains in the U.K. and South Africa has also alarmed governments around the world. With less than 200 days left until the opening ceremony, the situation has revived questions about the feasibility of safely holding even a limited version of the quadrennial games.