The head of the International Paralympic Committee says he’s satisfied with the precautions being taken to protect athletes competing in the Tokyo Games, as concerns mount over whether the event can be held safely during the coronavirus pandemic.
"We would not be organizing the games if we believed they could cause a big spread of the virus,” Andrew Parsons, chief of the group, said in an interview. "I’m confident with the level of protection.”
This comes as doubts remain over the slow pace of vaccinations in Japan and its struggle to keep infections under control before the arrival of tens of thousands of people into crowded Olympic venues — all of which apply equally to the Paralympic games. The U.S. State Department’s recent warning to Americans not to travel to Japan has intensified speculation over a potential cancellation. Polls in Japan consistently show that a majority of Japanese oppose the games. Business leaders, as well as the influential Asahi newspaper, have called for the event to be scrapped as well.