The Coronavirus scare is having an unprecedented impact on global sporting events. After moving out of the Asian Olympic Wrestling Qualifiers from China, the new organizers Kyrgyzstan is taking all possible precautions to fight the Coronavirus scare. The official spokesperson of the Kyrgyzstan government has announced that the wrestlers from the affected countries will have to go 14 days of quarantine period at an isolated facility before allowing them participation in the tournament.
According to the statement by the government of Kyrgyzstan, along with wrestlers from China, teams from Japan, South Korea, and Iran will be allowed entry only after 14 days quarantine period. The statement further added that wrestlers will be screened for the virus, regardless of symptoms such as fever and cough.
It must be noted at the time of handing over the organization rights of the Asian Olympic Qualifiers to Kyrgyzstan, the United World Wrestling had announced that “China will be given Visas to compete in the Qualifiers but only after 14 day quarantine period”.
The global body at that stage had a little idea that coronavirus will spread to other countries as well. Now the most affected countries list includes the names of South Korea, Iran, and Japan as well. This is the reason now the 14-day quarantine rule will also apply to Iran, South Korea, and Japan.
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The Japan Wrestling Association has also been quoted as saying that they are trying to get more information about this new development from the host nation. According to a report published in the Japan Wrestling Association’s official platform, “ We are trying for more information from the organizers, the location of quarantine facilities, and whether they can practice. At the same time, we will respond to the possibility of leaving Japan after March 10th”.
The Asian Olympic Qualifiers was scheduled to take place in X’ian in China from March 27-29 but was shifted by the UWW to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan for the same dates. Indian wrestlers are also scheduled to participate in the event in 14 different categories for the quota places for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
