VOA慢速英语2021 日本医疗协会呼吁取消东京奥运会（在线收听）

A top Japanese medical organization representing 6,000 doctors is now calling for the country to cancel this summer's Tokyo Olympics.

日本一家代表6000名医生的顶级医疗组织现在呼吁该国取消今年夏天的奥运会。

The Tokyo Medical Practitioners Association said it is worried that the country's healthcare system cannot deal with an increase of coronavirus infections less than three months from the start of the Games.

东京医生协会表示，它担心该国的医疗系统无法在距离奥运会开幕不到3个月的时间里应对新冠病毒感染的激增。

In a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga last week, the group wrote that Japan should tell "the IOC (International Olympic Committee) that holding the Olympics is difficult and obtain its decision to cancel the Games." The Tokyo Games were already delayed from last year. The event is now planned to run from July 23 to August 8.

该组织在写给日本首相菅义伟的信中表示，日本应该通知国际奥委会，举办奥运会存在困难，并获得其取消这届奥运会的决定。东京奥运会已经从去年推迟。这届奥运会目前计划于7月23日到8月8日期间举行。

Compared to many countries, Japan has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic well. But a slow vaccination program, increase in virus cases, and shortage of hospital beds led the government to extend a state of emergency in Tokyo and other parts of Japan for the third time. Bars, restaurants and public gathering places have been closed for months. The restrictions are set to end May 31.

相比于其它很多国家，日本很好地应对了新冠肺炎大流行。但是由于疫苗接种项目进展迟缓，新冠病例激增以及病床不足，日本政府第3次延长了东京等地区的紧急状态。酒吧、餐馆和公共聚会场所已经关闭了几个月。这次封锁将于5月31日结束。

The Reuters news agency estimates only about 3.5 percent of the Japanese population of 126 million has been vaccinated. More people are now able to get the vaccine, but registration websites are having technical problems.

据路透社报道，日本1.26亿人口只有约3.5%接种了疫苗。现在有更多人能够接种疫苗，但是登记网站遭遇技术问题。

In the letter, the medical organization warned that if the Olympics led to a rise in deaths, "Japan will bear the maximum responsibility." The group noted that its doctors would also face the difficulty of treating patients affected by heat during the summer.

该医疗组织在信中警告说，如果奥运会导致死亡人数上升，日本将承担最大责任。该组织指出，其医生在夏季期间还将面临治疗受高温影响患者的难题。

In addition to the letter from the medical group, hundreds of thousands of Japanese have signed a document that asked the government to cancel the Games. Still, Suga said he believes the Olympics can go ahead safely if people follow the rules to keep COVID-19 under control.

除了该医疗组织的来信，还有数十万名日本人签署了一份文件要求政府取消奥运会。然而菅义伟表示，他相信如果人们遵循新冠肺炎的管控规定，奥运会就可以安全地进行。

Even with these concerns, over 400 athletes came to Tokyo's Olympic Stadium for an event without fans in early May.

即使存在这些顾虑，5月初仍然有超过400名运动员来到东京奥林匹克体育场参加没有观众的比赛。

However, some Olympians are worried about holding the Games during a pandemic.

然而，一些奥运选手对大流行期间举办奥运会感觉担忧。

Eric Lamaze is a Canadian gold medalist who competes in horse riding. He said he will not try to make his country's Olympic team this year. Lamaze is worried about his health. He was recently treated for a brain tumor. He said he does not think Tokyo is the best place for him to be this year.

埃里克·拉马兹是加拿大的马术金牌得主。他自称今年不会加入本国的奥运代表队。拉马兹担心自己的健康。他最近因为脑部肿瘤接受了治疗。他说，他认为今年东京不是他的最佳去处。

"The Olympics are a celebration of the athletes and I don't think we're going to have a true celebration in Tokyo," he said.

他说：“奥运会是运动员的盛会，我认为我们在东京不会有一场真正的盛会。”