Olympic organizers feel “tremendous pressure”

The spread of the new Omicron virus variant brings “great uncertainty for the global Covid situation,” Han Zirong, vice president of the organizing committee, told the press in Beijing on Thursday. It is highly likely that "a certain number of cases" will occur during the games because there are so many participants from all regions of the world and China, Han Zirong said. The Chinese authorities' requirements to prevent Covid-19 must be "vigorously implemented" to protect the safety of Olympic participants and the Chinese public.

Their appeal came shortly after a lockdown was imposed on a metropolis of millions in China after a long time. As part of their strict zero-Covid policy, the authorities imposed massive curfews on the 13 million residents of Xi'an (Shaanxi Province). They have not been allowed to leave their homes since midnight - with a few exceptions. One family member is allowed to go shopping every other day. 63 infections were reported on Thursday. The outbreak was due to “imported cases,” it said. Hard line China is pursuing a “dynamic zero-Covid strategy,” emphasized Han Zirong, who is also general secretary of the organizing committee. Whether new measures have to be taken before or during the games from February 4th to 20th depends on the change in the situation worldwide and in China - especially on the contagiousness and harmfulness of the Omicron variant. “We are paying close attention to the changes in the pandemic,” Han Zirong said. “Only by remaining flexible can we overcome the risks and challenges that the corona pandemic brings us.”

The ski competitions take place here: Yanqing © APA/afp / LEO RAMIREZ

Strict precautionary measures are already being taken for the games taking place in Beijing as well as in Yanqing and Zhangjiakou in the hilly landscape outside the capital. All Olympic participants can only move in “closed circuits”, have to be tested daily and are immediately isolated if they become infected. Foreign spectators are also not allowed. According to Han Zirong, whether and under what circumstances domestic audiences can participate is still being explored. The plans would be announced “at the right time”.

The vice director of the epidemic control office of the organizing committee, Huang Chun, regretted the cancellation of the ice hockey professionals from the USA. In view of the Corona problems in US sports, increasing infections and game cancellations, the North American professional league NHL decided the day before not to send its best players to China. This means that the biggest attraction of the Winter Games falls victim to the pandemic. Provisions remain in place Huang Chun defended the planned strict measures such as isolation, quarantine and longer hospital stays in case of symptoms, which were one of the reasons for the professionals' cancellation. He also rejected changes. “We are convinced that these prevention and control measures will definitely reduce the risk of spreading the viral disease.” The safety of the athletes and other participants, the entire event and the Chinese population must also be ensured.

With strict measures such as curfews, mass testing, compulsory quarantine, contact tracing and extensive travel and entry restrictions, China has largely got the virus under control. For more than a year, the pandemic situation in the most populous country has been significantly better than in many other nations. Daily life and the economy have long since returned to normal. But the more contagious Delta variant has caused several outbreaks - and now those responsible fear the Omicron variant, which is spreading even faster.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Olympic organizers feel “tremendous pressure”

The pandemic is confronting the organizers of the Winter Olympics in Beijing in six weeks with “tremendous pressure and challenges,” in their own words.

Suggestions

Comments (0)