Tokyo Para “Athletes at high risk due to virus also consider participation measures”

Tokyo Para “High-risk athletes due to the virus also consider participation measures” February 29 15:36

Dr. Tetsuo Suyama, chair of the Medical Advisory Committee for the Tokyo Paralympics, said in an interview with NHK that there will be athletes with weak respiratory functions likely to become severe with the new coronavirus at the Paralympic Games However, he noted that if the infection continued to spread, it would be necessary to consider measures for the audience during the event.

Dr. Suyama is the chairman of the Medical Committee of the Japan Paralympic Sports Association, to which the Paralympic sports organization belongs, and provides medical advice to the JPC = Japan Paralympic Committee.

In an NHK interview, Dr. Suyama pointed out that Paralympic athletes are at higher risk for the new coronavirus than Olympic athletes, depending on the disability.

Athletes with cervical spinal cord injuries and cerebral palsy in particular have weak respiratory functions, and once infected, the virus is difficult to shed from the lungs, which tends to be severe and, in the worst case, fatal.

Many athletes have such obstacles especially in boccia and wheelchair rugby in competitions, and in other competitions players with paralysis in a wide range from arm to foot often have weak respiratory functions, so it is necessary to be careful. Did.

In addition, the average age of Paralympic athletes is around 35, which is higher than Olympic athletes, so the percentage of athletes who have lifestyle-related diseases also increases. Pointed out that it was easy to happen.

He further cautioned that athletes abroad said that medical teams were not accompanied in many countries, and that there was a possibility that confirmation of pre-existing illness or infection leading to aggravation was not enough before visiting Japan.

Then, if the infection continued to spread until the start of August, it was necessary to consider measures such as restricting admission by measuring body temperature and keeping out audiences, while minimizing the number of operation staff in the actual production of the tournament. The recognition was shown.

Dr. Suyama said, “There are some things that cannot be imagined because of the degree of fashion in the future, but Japan needs to do everything possible. It will be a risky event that has never been experienced, but it will be held with strict management Yes, Japan has the ability, and if it can be held safely, it will be a legacy of the Tokyo Games = legacy. "