Ipc Chief: Safety Of Athletes Paramount
The chief of the International Paralympic Committee has suggested that officials will discuss a response if there are any changes in the coronavirus situation that could affect the safety of athletes.
IPC President Andrew Parsons gave an exclusive interview to NHK in Tokyo on Saturday.
Asked whether the Paralympics will continue if athletes become seriously ill from the virus or there is a cluster of infections, Parsons said officials will need to discuss an appropriate response with Japanese authorities.
He said officials will respond in the best possible way to protect the health and safety of athletes.
Asked about plans to allow schoolchildren to watch Paralympic events at venues, Parsons said it was based on a request from the Japanese government.
He said the IPC supports the plan, but wants to know more about what can be done to protect children. He stressed the wellbeing of children must be guaranteed.
On the issue of public concern about a potential spread of infections due to the Paralympics, Parsons said organizers are asking the public not to go out to events on public roads but to watch them on TV.