Coronavirus threat casts its shadow on the 2020 Olympic Games
The coronavirus outbreak has already impacted the events industry worldwide. Many organisers have cancelled major global events across every industry, from fashion to technology, design, and hospitality.
Till now over 80,000 people have been infected and over 2,800 people have been killed due to this deadly outbreak. The cancellation of events around the world is having damaging effects across the hotel, airline, entertainment, marketing, restaurant and other industries.
With the Tokyo Olympic games slated in July 2020, now there are fears that if the outbreak is not controlled timely, it may cast its shadow on the games.
According to some reports, fears are rising that the disease will disrupt the opening of the Tokyo Olympic Games in July 2020. “If the disease is not contained till the end of May, organisers fear that the games might have to be cancelled,” a report recently stated.
The World Health Organization has said that the disease is not yet a pandemic, concerns that it may turn into one are now making rounds.
Here is a look at some of the events that been been canceled due to the coronavirus threat:
Mobile World Congress
Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world’s biggest mobile phone trade show, was set to take place in Barcelona between Feb. 24 and 27. The high-profile annual event attracts some of the world’s most prominent tech and telecommunications companies. Earlier this month, organizers announced it would be cancelled because of coronavirus.
Facebook’s Global Marketing Summit
Facebook cancelled its global marketing summit, scheduled to begin March 9 in San Francisco. The company said the decision was made in “an abundance of caution.”
Chinese Grand Prix
The Chinese Grand Prix, set to take place from April 17 to 19 has been postponed because of coronavirus. It’s the opening race of the Formula One season, and three other races—in Australia, Bahrain, and Vietnam—could also be postponed.
Global fashion weeks
Fashion weeks in Beijing and Shanghai, both set to take place at the end of March, were postponed due to coronavirus. Meanwhile, numerous Chinese fashion brands have pulled out of fashion weeks in Paris and Milan.
Milan Furniture Fair
Milan’s Salone del Mobile, the largest furniture fair in the world, was slated to take place between April 21 and 26. Organizers announced it’s been postponed until June due to fears about a coronavirus outbreak in Italy.
European carnivals
The mayor of Nice, a city in southern France, canceled the last day of carnival because of coronavirus. Venice, Italy, too, cancelled its carnival, one of the most popular in the world. Authorities said there were three confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Venice.
China’s National People’s Congress
China announced earlier this week it would postpone its key annual gathering of lawmakers, scheduled to take place in March. It is the first time in decades that the country has been forced to delay the meeting.
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