This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded a warning note on the possibility of large sports crowds returning this year.
Speaking in a live WHO social media chat on August 5, 2020, Dr. Michael Ryan, the WHO's emergencies director, expressed concerns about the risks associated with large gatherings, particularly in countries with community-level transmission of the virus.
“It’s not just the risk of being in the stadium, it’s the risk of going to the stadium, the public transport, the bars and the clubs,” Dr. Ryan explained, highlighting the potential for widespread transmission.
He noted that the problems associated with nightclubs and bars could be exacerbated by the large crowds and social interactions that come with sports events.
“In the context of community transmission, that could be disastrous,” Dr. Ryan warned.
Major sports events, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the 2020 European football championships, have already been postponed until next year, while others have been forced behind closed doors.
Dr. Ryan suggested that a more realistic approach might be to start with small gatherings, such as 1,000 to 2,000 people, before gradually increasing the numbers.
“We all want our sport back. We’re just going to have to be careful for a good bit longer,” he said.
