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No Russian world boycott, insists Japan
Source: Agencies |
May 27, 2011, Friday
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JAPAN has no fears about a Russian boycott after the world gymnastics championships were kept in Tokyo despite concerns over the nuclear crisis raging north of the city.
A senior Japan Gymnastics Association (JGA) official said he was "almost positive" that Russia, one of the sport's traditional superpowers, will take part in the October 7-16 event. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) ignored Russian-led calls to move the championships to Moscow after being assured Tokyo posed no radiation risks.
"I'm 95 percent sure there will not be any more drama," the JGA's Morinari Watanabe, who had accused the Russians of scare-mongering, said.
"The FIG made their final decision (at the weekend) so Russia can't boycott it. Their case was emotional and had no scientific basis."
Sports events across Japan have been plunged into chaos following the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami on March 11 which left some 25,000 people dead or missing.
The 15-meter tidal wave destroyed large areas of Japan's northeast and smashed into a nuclear plant 150 miles north of Tokyo, unleashing the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. Some 80,000 residents around the plant have been evacuated because of the risk from radiation.
Moscow took over the hosting of the world figure skating championships from Tokyo in the aftermath of the disaster, but Japan has been upset by Russia's attempts to do so again.
"Japanese government ministers and experts presented scientific data to the FIG, including data from the WHO (World Health Organization) and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)," said Watanabe.
"There are virtually no countries against coming to Japan," he said.
Watanabe said he would go visit Russia to talk with officials.
"After the September 11 (2001) terror attacks, Japan pulled out of the world championships," he added.
"At that time there were fears about flying on planes. But I will go to Russia and explain to them again that it is perfectly safe."
A senior Japan Gymnastics Association (JGA) official said he was "almost positive" that Russia, one of the sport's traditional superpowers, will take part in the October 7-16 event. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) ignored Russian-led calls to move the championships to Moscow after being assured Tokyo posed no radiation risks.
"I'm 95 percent sure there will not be any more drama," the JGA's Morinari Watanabe, who had accused the Russians of scare-mongering, said.
"The FIG made their final decision (at the weekend) so Russia can't boycott it. Their case was emotional and had no scientific basis."
Sports events across Japan have been plunged into chaos following the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami on March 11 which left some 25,000 people dead or missing.
The 15-meter tidal wave destroyed large areas of Japan's northeast and smashed into a nuclear plant 150 miles north of Tokyo, unleashing the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. Some 80,000 residents around the plant have been evacuated because of the risk from radiation.
Moscow took over the hosting of the world figure skating championships from Tokyo in the aftermath of the disaster, but Japan has been upset by Russia's attempts to do so again.
"Japanese government ministers and experts presented scientific data to the FIG, including data from the WHO (World Health Organization) and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)," said Watanabe.
"There are virtually no countries against coming to Japan," he said.
Watanabe said he would go visit Russia to talk with officials.
"After the September 11 (2001) terror attacks, Japan pulled out of the world championships," he added.
"At that time there were fears about flying on planes. But I will go to Russia and explain to them again that it is perfectly safe."
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