The Tokyo Olympic Games and the Risk of COVID-19
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MASSIVE GATHERING EVENTS AND COVID-19 (M ALMUTAIRI, SECTION EDITOR)
The Tokyo Olympic Games and the Risk of COVID-19 Van Thuan Hoang 1,2,3 & Jaffar A. Al-Tawfiq 4,5,6 & Philippe Gautret 1,2 Accepted: 24 October 2020 # Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Abstract Purpose of Review We reviewed the occurrence of outbreaks at past Olympics and discuss the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic at the Tokyo Games. Recent Findings Evidence for large respiratory tract infection outbreaks at past Olympics is scant. Nevertheless, in order to control the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were postponed for 2021. Given the high contagiousness of the disease and the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Japan, this decision was appropriate and important in order to safeguard athletes and the public. However, it is a major problem for Japan, involving massive financial losses and a lost opportunity for athletes, coaches, and instructors. Summary Up-to-date epidemiological data is needed on which to base an appropriate decision regarding the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. The actual effect of cancellations of such events in reducing the spread of COVID-19 needs to be determined. Keywords COVID-19 . SARS-CoV-2 . Mass gatherings . Olympics . Paralympics . Athletes
Introduction Mass gatherings (MGs) are defined as a “concentration of people at a specific location for a specific purpose over a set period of time which has the potential to strain the planning and response resources of the country or community” [1]. MGs can be spontaneous or programmed and irregular or recurrent [1]. Sporting, religious, and cultural events such as the Olympic Games, the Hajj, and music This article is part of the Topical Collection on Massive Gathering Events and COVID-19 * Philippe Gautret [email protected] 1
Aix Marseille University, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
2
Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France
3
Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, Vietnam
4
Infectious Disease Unit, Specialty Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
5
Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
6
Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
festivals are programmed MGs [1]. MGs pose considerable public health challenges to health authorities and host governments, not only in regard to transmissible disease but also noncommunicable disease, such as trauma or injuries. In addition, illness related to the use of drugs and alcohol and environmental effects are well described as public health problems during certain types of MGs [1]. Infectious disease is one of the major challenges at MGs, as it affects the attendees during the event and can increase the load on the health system in the host country. In addition, infected participants may spread the disease on a large scale upon return to their home countries. In fact, se
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