Sports

London can host 2020 Olympic Games if moved over coronavirus, Mayor candidate says

Published

6 years ago

February 20, 2020

London will be ready to host the 2020 Olympics if the outbreak of the coronavirus forced the Games to be moved from Tokyo in Japan, a political figure said on Thursday.

Shaun Bailey, the Conservative candidate for the position of mayor of the British capital, said this on social media.

London had last hosted the Games in 2012.

The flu-like coronavirus, which has killed more than 2,000 people in China and infected over 74,000 globally, has had a major impact on the sports calendar in Asia.

Already, a host of events have been cancelled and postponed.

With the Tokyo Games due to begin on July 24, organisers have set up a task force to coordinate with public health authorities over the epidemic.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said it had been advised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that there is no case for contingency plans to cancel or relocate the Games.

In Japan, hundreds have been infected by the virus with two deaths confirmed on the Diamond Princess cruise ship off Yokohama port.

This has sparked concerns that the world’s top sports event may not take place.

Bailey said London was well placed to step in for Tokyo if needed and urged the Olympic Committee to consider the city as an alternative.

“London can host the #Olympics in 2020,” he said on Twitter.

“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 said in a statement.

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

The London mayoral election is due to take place on May 7, and Bailey is trailing in opinion polls behind incumbent Sadiq Khan.

Bailey’s comments, carried by several major Japanese media outlets, became a top trending topic on Twitter in the country with nearly 50,000 tweets on the subject.

“How dare you! Don’t deprive the Olympics from Japan! In the first place, the UK didn’t take any remedies for the `Diamond Princess’ owned by your country!” Twitter user @Gelsomi47388050 said in English.

The Diamond Princess is a UK-flagged vessel owned by Carnival Corp.

Another user said London would be the best back-up option.

“Probably the only major city that could, facilities, hotels et cetera all ready and the weather would be more conducive to both competitions/spectators than Tokyo,” @twose_brian also tweeted in English in reply to Bailey, tagging #LondonOlympics2020.

The Tokyo 2020 organising committee did not comment on Bailey’s remarks.

It said in an e-mailed statement that they were taking the necessary steps over the coronavirus.

“Tokyo 2020 will continue to collaborate with all relevant organisations which carefully monitor any incidence of infectious diseases and we will review any counter-measure that may be necessary with all relevant organisations,” it said.

Sports

Transfer: Gabriel Jesus Could Leave Arsenal as Napoli Show Interest

Published

1 week ago

August 8, 2026

Our Reporter

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus could leave the club this summer, with Italian side Napoli reportedly interested in signing the Brazilian forward.

According to Sky Italia, Napoli’s new manager, Massimiliano Allegri, is a long-term admirer of Jesus and is keen to explore the possibility of bringing him to Serie A.

Jesus and Allegri share the same agent, Giovanni Branchini, who was reportedly spotted at Napoli’s pre-season training camp in Castel di Sangro on Friday.

A meeting could reportedly take place to discuss a potential move for the Arsenal forward.

Napoli’s interest could depend on their ability to offload one of their existing strikers. The club would reportedly need to find new destinations for Lorenzo Lucca, who spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, or Romelu Lukaku before making a move for Jesus.

Arsenal are reportedly willing to consider offers of around £18 million for the 29-year-old, who has entered the final year of his contract with the Gunners.

Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 and could now be heading for a new challenge in Italy if Napoli’s interest develops into a formal transfer.

Sports

Transfer: Liverpool Agree Loan Deal for Barcelona Defender Araujo

Published

1 week ago

August 8, 2026

Our Reporter

Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign Uruguay international Ronald Araujo on loan.

According to Sky Sports, the deal could be completed this weekend, with the 27-year-old defender set to move to Anfield on a straight loan arrangement.

Araujo renewed his Barcelona contract last year, extending his stay at the Catalan club until 2031.

However, the defender endured a difficult campaign last season and was subsequently granted an extended leave of absence from the team.

The proposed move to Liverpool would give Araujo an opportunity to revive his career in a new league and country.

The Uruguay international joined Barcelona from Uruguayan club Boston River in 2018 before making his first-team breakthrough a year later.

Sports

LaLiga: Mourinho Introduces Four New Rules at Real Madrid

Published

1 week ago

August 8, 2026

Our Reporter

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly introduced a series of new rules at the club after identifying what he considered bad habits within the dressing room.

Mourinho returned to the Spanish giants for a second spell this summer and has already begun implementing changes to improve discipline and professionalism within the squad, according to AS.

One of the new measures concerns players’ diets. The Portuguese manager has reportedly ended the freedom for players to eat whatever they choose, with the club’s nutritionist now responsible for overseeing their meals.

Under the new system, menus will be carefully structured and determined according to the nutritional needs of the players.

Mourinho has also introduced a disciplinary measure for players who arrive late to training. Such players will reportedly be required to undergo individual gym sessions.

Another rule concerns injury rehabilitation. Players recovering from injuries will now be expected to complete their rehabilitation at the club’s training ground under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical and fitness staff rather than working independently with external personnel.

The changes are part of Mourinho’s reported efforts to establish greater discipline and control within the Real Madrid squad following his return to the club.