Tokyo experts warn of Olympics high health risk

The rescheduled Olympic Games may still be just over a year away, but medical experts warned on Friday (July 10) about a grave health risk to the Japanese public.

The Tokyo Games have already been pushed back to 2021 because of global health concerns, but now Olympic organizers and local authorities are scrambling to prevent anything further from derailing the event.

In interviews with a dozen infectious diseases experts, a common theme emerged: the Olympics would increase the risk of a disease outbreak.

One doctor from Osaka University Hospital’s infection control team said quote, "Infection will flare up if we push ahead with the Olympics and hold them. There is no doubt about it."

The Olympics bring together competitors and spectators from over 200 countries and concern remains over a possible public health crisis.

There are more than 100 potential vaccines in development, but experts say none will likely be available in enough quantity in time for the Olympics.

Public opinion remains split as well, with a poll carried out by one Japanese newspaper last month showing that 59% of people feel the Olympics should be canceled or postponed again.

Local media in Tokyo citing unnamed sources also reported on Thursday that all venues for the Olympics had been secured for 2021, although a Tokyo 2020 official said that was "optimistic" and that nothing had been announced.