The medical community in Japan is moving toward a consensus that holding next year's Tokyo Olympics may hinge on finding a coronavirus vaccine.
Japan Medical Association president Yoshitake Yokokura said in a video media conference on Tuesday that the Olympics were possible only if the infections were under control, not only in Japan, but globally.
"In my view, it would be difficult to hold the Olympics unless effective vaccines are developed," Yokokura said.
He did not say whether he opposes the Olympics without vaccines. Japan has reported 13,576 COVID-19 cases, and 712 others from a cruise ship quarantined near Tokyo earlier this year. '
She said a vaccine was "optimistically 12 to 18 months away."
"The other half is manufacturing enough doses and getting these into people across the world. How would prioritization be done?"
Sridhar said it was unclear how young, strong, Olympic athletes would "fit" into the "priority process."
"Some medical experts are also expressing that it is too early to made a judgment."
"Add to this the unwavering importance the IOC places on its brand, and the uncertainty in terms of public health and you find yourself with international sports' version of a Rubik's cube."