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A17
Thursday 27 February 2020

AP Interviews:
Swimmers GAME

concerned

Olympics SET

will be

canceled MATCH!

By ANDREW DAMPF
AP Sports Writer
NAPLES, Italy (AP) —
If any thoughts were creep-
ing into their minds that the
Tokyo Olympics might be
canceled because of a
viral outbreak, elite swim-
mers Katinka Hosszú, Chad
le Clos and Sarah Sjöström
certainly didn't show it dur-
ing a strenuous two-hour
training session Wednes-
day.
It was only after the three
swimmers — who have
won 11 Olympic medals
between them — stepped
out of the pool that they
revealed serious concerns
over the fate of the games
during a series of interviews
with The Associated Press.
"For the athletes the best
(solution) is just to focus on
your preparation. ... I see
the news, but in my mind
I'm prepared until it's on. So
I have to be ready," said
Hosszú, whose nickname is
"The Iron Lady."
Tokyo Olympic organizers
and the Japanese govern-
ment responded Wednes-
day to comments made
by former International
Olympic Committee vice
president Dick Pound, who
said the 2020 Games could
be canceled if the virus
isn't contained.
"Our basic thoughts are
that we will go ahead with
the Olympic and Paralym-
pic Games as scheduled," Sharapova retires from tennis
Tokyo organizing commit-
tee CEO Toshiro Muto said
in an abruptly called a In this Sept. 16, 2017, file photo, Maria Sharapova arrives at the Los
news conference. Angeles premiere of "Battle of the Sexes" in Los Angeles.
Associated Press
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