US track and field team cancels pre-Olympics training camp in Japan over virus concerns

The U.S. track and field team has canceled its pre-Olympics training camp in Japan over COVID-19 concerns, highlighting the already mounting calls to cancel the games.

“It is a shame they have decided to cancel, but I believe they made the best decision possible in the current situation,” said Toshihito Kumagai, governor of the Chiba administration outside Tokyo, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

The national Olympic committee is struggling to keep hopes high for the games amid the lingering pandemic.

More than 300,000 people have signed a petition calling for the Tokyo Games, which were originally scheduled for last year, to be canceled outright.

Although Japan and the Olympic committee are setting up protocols and plans to keep participants safe, Tokyo is struggling to contain its coronavirus cases, with the city’s current state of emergency extending to the end of May.

With the extended emergency declaration, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach recently canceled a trip to Japan that was supposed to happen Tuesday, ESPN reported.

Japan’s slow vaccine rollout has reportedly hurt its fight against the virus.

Pfizer is donating vaccines for athletes for the games, and officials have insisted the games will go on.

Some Japanese citizens have criticized athletes being prioritized in the vaccine rollout and said their health is being put behind the games.