London Prepared To Host Olympics If Tokyo 2020 Cancelled Due To Coronavirus

Posted Thursday, February 20, 2020 1:35 AM , updated Thursday, February 20, 2020 2:19 AM

The latest Olympics could be rebranded London 2020 as coronavirus fears cloud the excitement for Tokyo, but Japan remains confident the games will go ahead as planned.

The U.K. city last held an Olympics in 2012, but it has been told to 'stand ready' in case a last-minute replacement is needed to host the July games.

The concerns come as Japan has confirmed nearly 60 cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus), and the virus is playing havoc on international travel. Multiple countries including Australia have put in place tourist restrictions and quarantine periods.

Now the attention has turned to how the infection could affect the Tokyo games.

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Already, Olympic qualifying events have been affected, including a women's football tournament which had to be moved from China to Australia.

Organisers have said the games will go ahead as planned.

Last week Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the Tokyo organising committee, said he was "seriously worried that the spread of the infectious disease could throw cold water on the momentum toward the games." He later changed course and said he was confident the games would happen in Japan.

Tokyo's organising committee is taking coronavirus precautions ahead of the Olympic Games. Image: Getty

In the event of the Olympics being cancelled or rescheduled -- which has only ever happened three times, in 1916, 1940 and 1944 due to World War I and II -- London could emerge as a last-minute host.

Shaun Bailey, the Conservative candidate for the city's mayoral race, has said London should put its hand up to host the games if needed.

“Given the ongoing disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak, I urge the Olympic Committee to seriously consider how London could stand ready to host the Olympics should the need arise,” Bailey told British outlet CityAM.

“We have the infrastructure and the experience, and if I am elected I will make sure London is ready to host the biggest sporting celebration again if we are called on in an hour of need.”

Coronavirus concerns have led to many countries enacting travel restrictions or quarantines for tourists. Image: EPA

CityAM quoted current London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, as saying the city would look to help if needed.

"In the unlikely event that it be required, London, as it has done throughout history, will do its best to step up to the plate," a spokesperson said.

Australian Olympic boss John Coates has reassured athletes and spectators that they'll be safe to attend the Tokyo games. He recently returned from meetings in Japan, where he said the management of the virus was a top priority for organisers.

There are calls for London to "stand ready" as a possible Olympic backup. Image: Getty

"We have been working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) since this was first identified," he said.

"They've made it quite clear to us that there is no case for postponing, cancelling the games at all ... provided that all of the requirements of the Japanese authority on people coming into the games are followed.

"We're very satisfied that all the checks and balances will be there by the time the athletes and the spectators enter the country."

Australian Matildas games were rescheduled due to coronavirus issues in China. Image: Getty

Coates said there were "no plans" to reschedule the games, and that he was not aware of any Australian athletes raising virus-related travel concerns.

The coronavirus has already played havoc with some international sporting events.

It has wiped the indoor world track and field championships in China's Nanjing as well as the country's golf tournaments, soccer matches, and almost all sports including Olympic qualifying events.

It is also keeping Chinese athletes from travelling to qualify, which could put their presence in Tokyo in jeopardy.