Asian Para Games in China postponed over COVID-19 concerns

Workers in protective suits walk through the gate of a barricaded residential area under lockdown, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Beijing, China May 17, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

The Asian Para Games scheduled for October 9-15 this year in Hangzhou, China will not take place due to fears over COVID-19.

Last week the Asian Games also in Hangzhou, China were also delayed over COVID-19 fears. No new date for either the Asian Games or Asian Para Games has been announced.

“This was not an easy decision to make,” said Asian Para Games President Majid Rashed in a statement. “The preparations have been going very well and Hangzhou was ready to deliver an outstanding Games.”

Workers in protective suits disinfect a closed residential area during lockdown, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Shanghai, China, May 17, 2022. REUTERS/Aly Song

China has seen a sudden rise in COVID-19 cases the past few months, with several major cities being placed in lockdown. The head of the World Health Organization has been critical of China’s zero-tolerance COVID-19 policy, calling the policy “not sustainable given what is known of the disease.”

The Asian Para Games were to feature more than 3,000 athletes taking part in 22 sports.

Source Asian Para Games in China postponed over COVID-19 concerns