Despite the excitement and anticipation surrounding this summer’s 2024 Paris Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, several experts and French news outlets have expressed concern about the potential risks of holding the event amid an epidemic wave of the COVID-19 virus, which is currently experiencing a surge driven by new variants.
In an article published on Saturday, French newspaper Le Figaro reported the emergence of a new wave of the epidemic in France and other countries, along with the rise of new variants within the Omicron family.
The daily prompts consideration of whether the Paris 2024 Olympics should address the potential impact of an epidemic resurgence and implement measures to mitigate any risks.
Le Figaro, citing experts, warned that “the new variants of the virus are faster at evading the immune system and therefore more infectious.”
“Large gatherings involving large numbers of people can potentially lead to the spread of diseases and other health risks,” an epidemiologist noted.
Per recent recommendations from numerous French scientists, SARS-CoV-2 is to be monitored among six viruses as a priority in wastewater during the competition.
“We maintain strict vigilance,” Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, France’s Minister for Sports, stated on Wednesday, according to the same source.
The article further indicated that an infection can significantly disrupt an individual’s activities, sometimes requiring a period of complete rest.
For athletes, contamination can have particularly adverse consequences, including the possibility of withdrawing from competitions or even abandoning ambitious medal aspirations.
The author also reported that COVID-19 is not the only infectious threat during the Olympics. Several other diseases, such as measles and whooping cough, have been on the rise in recent weeks.
In a Friday report, French newspaper Le Monde stated that “despite the recent surge in contamination cases in the Paris region, the organizers of the Games and the relevant health authorities have no intention of implementing a health protection measure.”
Le Monde revealed that five of the 176 cyclists participating in the Tour de France (June 29 – July 21) had officially withdrawn due to COVID-19, which could present potential challenges for the upcoming Olympics.
“The lack of adequate sanitary measures during the event led to the withdrawal,” the magazine said.
The report raises concerns that similar issues may arise during the two-week Olympic Games, emphasizing the necessity for robust health protection measures.