While the corona virus is gaining a European base in Italy, China is the epicenter, with almost 80,000 cases and more than 2,600 dead. Neighboring South Korea now has nearly 1,000 cases and 11 dead, while Japan Olympic organizer approaches 200 cases and has a death in the virus. The Japanese soccer league now chooses to postpone all matches for just over two weeks, and the World Cup table tennis in South Korea in March has been postponed.

Three months to decide

IOC member Dick Pound said today it only has three months to decide whether the Olympics will be decided as planned or not, while the Japanese themselves are trying to show seriousness, but not panic.

"If you talk to many people up close, there is a risk of spreading the infection even without coughing or sneezing," says Japan's Health Minister Katsunobu Kato.