Tokyo (AFP)

A boxing qualification tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, scheduled for next month in China in Wuhan, the center of the new coronavirus epidemic, has been canceled, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Wednesday, confirming a information from the Japanese press agency Kyodo quoting the organizers.

The IOC has not specified whether the tournament could be relocated elsewhere in China.

The Wuhan tournament, one of the five continental tournaments qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and concerning the Asia and Oceania regions, was to be held from February 3 to 14.

Due to the suspension of the International Boxing Federation (AIBA), the Olympic qualifying tournaments as well as the Olympic tournament are organized by the IOC.

"The IOC boxing working group has taken note of the decision of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to cancel the Asia / Oceania qualification tournament planned for Wuhan, in a context of growing concerns over the coronavirus epidemic in the city, "said the IOC in a statement.

This working group continues to work "closely with the Chinese National Olympic Committee and all partners to study the alternatives," added the IOC.

According to the Japanese news agency Kyodo, the Wuhan tournament should be relocated elsewhere in China.

However, the change of location has not yet been officially confirmed by the various authorities.

The Japanese boxing federation said it was awaiting news from the IOC.

The relocation of these trials could occur when the new strain of coronavirus killed 17 people and infected at least 440 others in the country.

Cases have also been reported outside of China, in countries such as the United States, South Korea, Japan and Thailand.

This new coronavirus is causing concern because of its similarity to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), which killed nearly 650 people in mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.

Several countries have already stepped up surveillance for visitors from China, and the World Health Organization will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to decide whether to declare a global public health emergency for the new virus.

© 2020 AFP