Taiwan Returns Hosting Rights for Tokyo Olympic Baseball Qualifiers Amid COVID-19 Spread

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, a health official is disinfecting a volunteer on the streets of Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. As new cases surged recently, Taiwan raised the alert level to Stage 3 at the border between Taipei and New Taipei. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Taiwanese media reported on the 20th that Taiwan has decided to relinquish the hosting rights for the Tokyo Olympics baseball final world qualifying tournament.

Local media stated, "The Taiwan Baseball Association was scheduled to host the Tokyo Olympics baseball final world qualifying tournament in Taichung, Taiwan, starting from the 16th of next month, but due to the worsening spread of COVID-19, they have informed the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) of their intention to return the hosting rights."

They added, "Taiwan has closed its borders due to a sharp increase in community COVID-19 infections, making it difficult for baseball teams from other countries to enter."

Until last month, Taiwan had fewer than 10 daily confirmed cases, but recently there have been over 200 confirmed cases daily. On the 17th, 333 people tested positive.

Taiwan has implemented stringent measures, including expanding Level 3 quarantine alert measures nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Tokyo Olympics Americas qualifiers were scheduled to be held in Florida, USA, and the world qualifiers in Taiwan.

The final world qualifying tournament was to feature six countries: the 2nd and 3rd place teams from the Americas qualifiers, Taiwan, Australia, the Netherlands, and China; however, with China recently withdrawing, five teams will compete.

The Korean national team, led by manager Kim Kyung-moon, has secured spots in the Olympic main event alongside Japan, Mexico, and Israel.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.