Olympics-'Absurd' to stage Tokyo Games, says professor of public health

FILE PHOTO: Olympics - Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Test Event - Athletics - Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - May 9, 2021. An athlete competes in the men's hammer throw event during the morning session of the Athletics test event. REUTERS/Issei Kato

(Reuters) -A professor of public health and adviser to the New Zealand government said on Tuesday there was no justification for holding the Tokyo Olympics during a pandemic, and to go ahead would be 'absurd' and cost lives.

Otago University professor Michael Baker, who specialises in epidemiology and has worked on a COVID-19 Technical Advisory Group for the Ministry of Health, told Reuters the Games should be cancelled.