Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has pledged in his New Year's address that he will successfully host the Tokyo Olympics this year, but the recent situation is in a different direction.



With the rapid spread of Corona 19, there is a cautious situation in holding domestic sports competitions, not just the Olympics.



In the past month, the number of confirmed corona19 in Japan increased by 86,000.



It increased to an average of 2,799 people per day.



In particular, the number of confirmed cases has increased to 3,493 per day for the last week, and the rate of increase is increasing.




Because of this, preparation for the Olympics is also hindering.



NHK reported that only about 20% of the total selection of Japanese national players to compete in the Tokyo Olympics was in progress.



Japan is planning to select 600 national athletes to compete in 33 sports, but only 117 have been decided in 13 sports.



In track and field, competition performance is an important criterion in the selection of representatives, and whether major events such as the Japanese Championships can be held as scheduled in the future is the key to selection.



The Japanese government also announced to the Japan Olympic Committee that it would temporarily suspend the special case for allowing foreign athletes to enter the country, which had been recognized with the intention of hosting the Olympics, as the virus spread recently.



Although it is a plan to suspend entry to countries and regions where the mutant virus has been confirmed, the recent spread of the mutant virus to each country could lead to disruptions in hosting various competitions.



If an infection spreads while athletes and spectators from different countries visit Japan, we are concerned that Japanese health authorities will be able to respond properly.



Securing separate medical staff for the Olympic and Paralympic Games will not be easy.



Japanese voters are also skeptical of hosting the Olympics.



In a poll conducted by NHK last month, 63% said that the Tokyo Olympics should be postponed or canceled again.



At the time of the October survey, these comments were 48%, with negative reactions rising 15% points in the two months.



(Photo = Getty Image Korea)