Jamaica's Olympic participation hinges on travel restrictions to Japan

The potential imposition of a travel ban from Jamaica to Japan may further jeopardize the country's participation at this summer's Tokyo Olympics. The staging of the Games itself is now shrouded in uncertainty following the continued spread of the Covoid 19 coronavirus. Thursday's announcement by the Ministry of Health that travel restrictions could be placed on Japan, has raised further questions over whether or not the nation will be allowed to send athletes to this summer's Olympics if the event is still held.

Japan has come under the microscope after the Ministry of Health announced announced on Wednesday that it would be restricting travel to Italy, South Korea, Singapore and Iran due to a rise in cases in those countries. For president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Dr Warren Blake, the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO) would be key in coming to a decision.

Dr Blake also said that the JAAA would suffer financially if the Olympics are cancelled as it acts as one of their major bargaining tools for sponsorship. Jamaica also recently announced a restriction on travel to and from China.